Determining Potential Feed Value and Silage Quality of Guar Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) Silages

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of some additives on the potential nutritional value and silage quality of guar bean (Cluster bean = Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) silages. It was hypothesized that the use of cereal grains, molasses and ecomass will reduce silage fermentation pH by increasing lactic acid production and positively improve CP content and silage quality. Four different silage groups were established; (control, grain (5%), molasses (10%) and ecomass+molasses (10%+5%)). Fresh guar beans were thoroughly mixed with the additives to homogenize, then ensiled and opened after 60 days. The results of this study revealed that guar bean silages could be used as an alternative forage in ruminant feeding because of its higher protein content (13.88%), forage feed value and silage quality. The use of molasses (GSM) and molasses + ecomass (GSEM) as additives has significantly (P ≤0.01) increased the silage quality and feed value compared to the control group. It was observed that GSM and GSEM silage groups had the highest values in terms of lactic acid content. In conclusion, guar silage can be used as an alternative feed for ruminants, but the doses of barley and molasses should be correct and tested in in vivo studies.

Keywords

• cluster bean
• ecomass
• forage
• grain
• guar
• molasses
• relative feed value
• silage