Ensiling as a technique for preservation of the nutritional quality of Vachellia nilotica

Abstract

Fodder tree species are considered to have high nutritional value and have always played a significant role in feeding livestock during the dry seasons. The study was conducted to explore the possibility of preserving chopped Vachellia nilotica shoots as silage. Edible plant material of V. nilotica were harvested, chopped and ensiled in 1.5 L anaerobic glass jars under laboratory conditions with four treatment applications: control, shoots + seedpods, shoots + molasses, and shoots + molasses + seedpods. Three jars per treatment were opened at Days 3, 7, 21 and 60 to determine fermentation characteristics, and subjected to a five-day aerobic stability test at Day 60. Thereafter samples were analysed for chemical composition, mineral nutrients, fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability. Dry matter content of V. nilotica differed (p < 0.05) at ensiling with an average of 433 g kg⁻¹ DM, CP (70–81 g kg⁻¹ DM), ADF (360–426 g kg⁻¹ DM), aNDF (468–524 g kg⁻¹ DM) and pH (4.3–5.0) at Day 60. Butyric acid was < 0.1 g kg⁻¹ DM, acetic acid (4–6 g kg⁻¹ DM) and propionic acid was not detected. These findings demonstrated that V. nilotica edible parts can be effectively preserved as legume silage to bridge the dry season gap.