College of Animal Science & Livestock Production

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Browsing College of Animal Science & Livestock Production by Author "ADEGOKE, NAHEEMAT TEMITAYO"

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    CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF Cenchrus purpureusHARVESTED IN THE DRY SEASON AND ENSILED WITH LAYER MANURE
    (2025-01-25) ADEGOKE, NAHEEMAT TEMITAYO
    ABSTRACT This study evaluated the chemical composition of Cenchrus purpureus (elephant grass) harvested during the dry season and ensiled with layer manure under varying conditions to improve its nutritional value for livestock during feed-scarce periods. A 4 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment investigated the effects of ensiling duration (0, 21, 42, and 63 days), manure type (air-dried and fermented), and manure inclusion levels (0% and 5%), with each treatment replicated three times. The forage was harvested at 15 cm above ground level, chopped into 2–3 cm lengths, and wilted for 24 hours. Layer manure air-dried and fermented for 21 days, was mixed with the forage and compressed into 400–500 ml silos.AOAC Official Methods of Analysis and Van Soest et al. (1991)was used to calculate theproximate,fiber and mineral analysis.Near-Infrared Spectroscopy machine was used to analyze the nutritional component of the samples. The result was calculated using (SAS) 1999 package. The highest crude protein (CP) content (12.79%) was observed in unensiled cenchrus purpureuscombined with 5% fermented manure, while the lowest (9.35%) occurred when ensiled for 21 days without manure. Dry matter (DM) content was highest (91.75%) in cenchrus purpureusensiled for 63 days without manure and lowest (90.92%) when ensiled for 21 days with 5% fermented manure. Ether extract (EE) peaked (1.88%) incenchrus purpureus ensiled for 21 days with 5% air-dried manure, while crude fiber (CF) was highest (20.56%) when ensiled for 63 days with 5% air-dried manure.Fiber analysis showed significant variations in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). The highest NDF (68.96%) was observed in unensiled cenchrus purpureus without manure, while the lowest (61.47%) was found in cenchrus purpureus ensiled for 63 days with 5% fermented manure. ADF levels, which indicate cellulose and lignin content, were lowest (40.96%) in unensiled cenchrus purpureuswith 5% air-dried manure and highest (47.21%) in cenchrus purpureusensiled for 42 days without manure. ADL content was highest (7.09%) in cenchrus purpureusensiled for 63 days with 5% fermented manure, highlighting the role of lignin in fiber rigidity and digestibility. The highest calcium content (5.30%) was observed in cenchrus purpureus ensiled for 63 days, while the highest phosphorus content (3.48%) was recorded when unensiled with 5% fermented manure. The study concludes that unensiled Cenchrus purpureus with 5% air-dried manure is optimal for maximizing crude protein content, while ensiling with 5% fermented manure for 21 to 63 days enhances fiber digestibility and mineral bio-availability.