Evaluation of super Napier (Pennisetum purpureum × P. glaucum) green fodder and silage quality harvested at various days after planting as ruminant fodder

Abstract

The study investigated the use of fresh Super Napier (FSN) and ensiled Super Napier (SSN) grass or Pakchong 1 complete plant as a feed for ruminants, harvested at different stages of growth. Using the proximate analysis based on AOAC analytical standard and further the fodder quality and digestibility parameters were estimated using various factorial methods. Samples were pooled from the Forage unit, College of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad, Telangana State. Fresh Super Napier grass (FSN) had higher nutritional values when compared with ensiled Super Napier grass (SSN). With the increase in time of harvesting, moisture content decreased while dry matter and fiber content increased in both FSN and SSN. Protein content decreased in both, but more drastically in FSN. TDN and DDM were higher in FSN. The crude protein digestibility went down significantly in both, with the more remarkable decrease in FSN. Energy values remained relatively stable in FSN and lower in SSN. Relative Feed Value (RFV) and Relative Feed Quality (RFQ) were greater in FSN, indicating that FSN is a better quality feed than SSN. Finally, early harvest improves protein and digestibility in fresh forage.