Theme 2-2: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions
Description
To effectively use the woody plant resources as animal feed, the ensiling suitability of Moringa including the dynamics of microbial community, chemical composition, and silage fermentation were studied. Tender stems and leaves of Moringa at the full-bloom stage of second cutting was used for silage preparation in Guizhou, China. After 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of ensiling, five silos for each treatment were opened to analyze the fermentation characteristics. Moringa before ensiling contained 104 lactic acid bacteria (LAB), 106 aerobic bacteria, 104 coliform bacteria, 102 yeast, and 104 mold based on colony-forming unit/g of fresh matter (FM). The aerobic bacteria were dominant microbial population in the fresh Moringa. After 3 days of ensiling, the LAB increased as the highest numbers to dominate the silage fermentation. After 7 days of ensiling, the coliform bacteria and mold counts in Moringa silage dropped below the detection levels. The dry matter (DM) of fresh Moringa was 26.57%, their neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) contents were 27.40% and 20.90% on a DM basis, respectively. During ensiling, all silages did not emerge great difference in chemical composition. After 7 days of ensiling, all silages displayed a good fermentation patterns, with a low pH value. The result suggested that Moringa can be prepare as silage to be potential woody feed resources for livestock.
Included in
Analysis of Ensiling Suitability of Moringa, a Woody Plant
To effectively use the woody plant resources as animal feed, the ensiling suitability of Moringa including the dynamics of microbial community, chemical composition, and silage fermentation were studied. Tender stems and leaves of Moringa at the full-bloom stage of second cutting was used for silage preparation in Guizhou, China. After 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of ensiling, five silos for each treatment were opened to analyze the fermentation characteristics. Moringa before ensiling contained 104 lactic acid bacteria (LAB), 106 aerobic bacteria, 104 coliform bacteria, 102 yeast, and 104 mold based on colony-forming unit/g of fresh matter (FM). The aerobic bacteria were dominant microbial population in the fresh Moringa. After 3 days of ensiling, the LAB increased as the highest numbers to dominate the silage fermentation. After 7 days of ensiling, the coliform bacteria and mold counts in Moringa silage dropped below the detection levels. The dry matter (DM) of fresh Moringa was 26.57%, their neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) contents were 27.40% and 20.90% on a DM basis, respectively. During ensiling, all silages did not emerge great difference in chemical composition. After 7 days of ensiling, all silages displayed a good fermentation patterns, with a low pH value. The result suggested that Moringa can be prepare as silage to be potential woody feed resources for livestock.
