2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 10

author(s)
Sutar SB, Vasave VM, Desale RJ and Chaudhari DM

abstract
The present investigation entitled, to study physical properties and palatability of silage prepared form maize, multicut sorghum and Hybrid Napier (Phule Gunwant) was carried out at division of Animal husbandry and dairy science, college of agriculture, Dhule. During study silage made from three different crops treatment viz. T₁-Maize (African tall), T₂-multicut sorghum (COFS 29) and T₃- Hybrid Napier (Phule Gunwant), respectively. This all treatment fodder were grown on fodder production unit at division of AHDS itself and used for silage production. Maize was harvested at 50% flowering i.e. milking stage or dough stage and multicut sorghum and Hybrid Napier grass are harvested/cut after 45 to 60 days each and all the treatment fodder crops were ensiled with bag method. Fodder crops are chopped at size of 4-5 cm piece with the help of chaff cutter. Chopped fodder was filled into each bag layer by layer compacted every layer by continuous treading to remove air and the silo bags were sealed immediately with an air-tight rubber/ rope once it was filled and stored the same at cool and dry place for 60 days. After 60 days of fermentation period, all the bags filled with the different treatment fodder were opened and samples were analyzed to assess its physical quality and palatability of the same. As physical parameters point of view, we seen the colour, texture and odour of the silage of each treatment. The results revealed in colour, texture and odour other than moisture where treatment T₁ (Maize) was found significant 73.35% followed by treatment T₃ and T₂ with 70.01% and 67.32%. Moreover, the results about palatability test treatment T₁ i.e. maize silage found superior with 86.5% followed by T₃ Hybrid Napier silage with 84.7% and T₂ multicut sorghum silage with 83.7%.