Evaluation the Quality and Microbial Flora of King Grass Silage

Abstract

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and the microbial population of king grass (Pennisetum purpureophoides) silage. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design consisting of four treatments with three replications, namely control: traditional king grass silage without additive as a control; CT1: king grass silage with 5% salt; CT2: king grass silage with 5% molasses and CT4: king grass silage with 5% salt and 5% molasses. All silages were prepared using plastic jars (5kg) and incubated at room temperature (25 - 30oC) for 90 days. Silages were analyzed for fermentation characteristics and microbial diversity. The result confirmed that king grass ensilaged with molasses (CT2, CT3) had good fermentation characteristics compared with control and CT1

group. The silage (CT2 & CT3) showed golden yellow color, pleasant and acidic smell, no viscosity, and no mold growth with pH value below 4,2 (3.98 - 4.18). DM and crude protein were reduced by 1.15 % and 0.35% respectively. The highest content of lactic acid (1.30 - 1.58%) and the lowest ratio of ammonia nitrogen to the total nitrogen (5.11 - 7.03%) were observed in CT2 and CT3. The microbial diversity in silages indicated that there was a highest population of lactic acid bacteria in CT2 and CT3 (194.17x10⁶ - 316.33x10⁶ CFU/g). The number of Bacillus sp. And Clostridium sp. mold and yeast were highest in control and CT1 (P < 0,05).