This study was conducted to assess the fermentation and nutritive value of sorghum silage mixed with lablab at different proportions. The treatments consisted of a combination of two sorghum genotypes viz. “Brown mid...This study was conducted to assess the fermentation and nutritive value of sorghum silage mixed with lablab at different proportions. The treatments consisted of a combination of two sorghum genotypes viz. “Brown midrib” and “Brachytic dwarf” genotype of lablab and six population proportions viz. 150:0, 112.5:37.5, 75:75, 37.5:112.5, 0:150 and 150:150 × 10<sup>3</sup> plants·ha<sup>-1</sup> sorghum genotypes and lablab, respectively totalling to 12 numbers. Sorghum genotypes and lablab were grown as monocrop and in intercropping systems in the same field. Forage sorghum was harvested at the late-dough stage and lablab at 20% bloom. They were cut and chopped together and ensiled. Lablab in the silage mixture was its actual contribution to the total forage mixture. For each mixture, a 1-L glass jar (mini-silo) was filled with 500 g of fresh material and replicated four times. Forage in mini silos was fermented for 60 days at room temperature (25°C). Pre and post-silage dry samples were analysed for nutritive value and ensiled samples were analysed for fermentation characteristics. There was no significant difference in nutritive value between sorghum genotypes. The greatest impact of mixing lablab with sorghum genotypes was on crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), but not on neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Across treatments, CP, ADF pH, lactic, and acetic acid concentrations increased as the proportion of LB was increased. The results indicated that lablab as an intercrop with sorghum for greater DM yield and forage and silage quality than respective monocrops.展开更多
文摘This study was conducted to assess the fermentation and nutritive value of sorghum silage mixed with lablab at different proportions. The treatments consisted of a combination of two sorghum genotypes viz. “Brown midrib” and “Brachytic dwarf” genotype of lablab and six population proportions viz. 150:0, 112.5:37.5, 75:75, 37.5:112.5, 0:150 and 150:150 × 10<sup>3</sup> plants·ha<sup>-1</sup> sorghum genotypes and lablab, respectively totalling to 12 numbers. Sorghum genotypes and lablab were grown as monocrop and in intercropping systems in the same field. Forage sorghum was harvested at the late-dough stage and lablab at 20% bloom. They were cut and chopped together and ensiled. Lablab in the silage mixture was its actual contribution to the total forage mixture. For each mixture, a 1-L glass jar (mini-silo) was filled with 500 g of fresh material and replicated four times. Forage in mini silos was fermented for 60 days at room temperature (25°C). Pre and post-silage dry samples were analysed for nutritive value and ensiled samples were analysed for fermentation characteristics. There was no significant difference in nutritive value between sorghum genotypes. The greatest impact of mixing lablab with sorghum genotypes was on crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), but not on neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Across treatments, CP, ADF pH, lactic, and acetic acid concentrations increased as the proportion of LB was increased. The results indicated that lablab as an intercrop with sorghum for greater DM yield and forage and silage quality than respective monocrops.
