EFFECT OF STORAGE MEDIUM AND STORAGE DURATION ON PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY OF Cenchrus purpureus HAY

Abstract

ABSTRACT This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of storage medium and duration on physical characteristics and In vitro digestibility of Cenchrus purpureus hay. This Study was laid out as 2×4 factorial arrangement with two storage medium (Jute bag and polypropylene bag) and four storage duration (3, 6. 9, and 12weeks). The storage medium did not (P > 0.05) have significant effect on all the physical characteristics except for odour. Storage duration shows (P < 0.05) significant effect on all physical characteristics. The highest leafiness was observed for Cenchrus purpureus stored in polypropylene at 12weeks whereas colour, odour and foreign materials highest value was observed for Cenchrus purpureus hay stored in jute bag at 6weeks.The storage medium showed significant effect (P > 0.05) on gas volume at 24, gas volume at 48, IVNDFD, IVADFD and IVDMD. In conclusion, Storage medium (jute and polypropylene bags) had minimal impact on most physical characteristics of Cenchrus purpureus hay, except for odour preservation. Jute bags maintained a better "new mown hay" smell. In vitro nutrient digestibility also was not significantly affected by storage medium but was influenced by storage duration.