Effect of molasses on the fermentation quality of wheat straw and poultry litter ensiled with citrus pulp

Abstract

In a 4 2 factorial design, mixtures of wheat straw, poultry litter and citrus pulp with 0 and 5% molasses [T1 (75:25:0), T2 (60:25:15), T3 (45:25:30), and T4 (30:25:45)] were ensiled for a period of 60 days in 20 L laboratory silos. Inclusion of 5% molasses had no significant (P>0.05) effect on pH, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin contents and in vitro organic matter (OM) degradability. However, molasses decreased (P<0.05) the concentration of volatile fatty acids including N-butyric acid. Coliforms were completely eliminated in all treatments, except in the silage without either molasses or citrus pulp. There was a difference (P<0.05) in titratable acidity levels between silage with 0 and 5% molasses. There was a decrease (P<0.001) in silage pH as the proportion of citrus pulp in silage increased from 0 to 30%. In vitro OM degradability increased (P<0.001) from 0.33 to about 0.56 as citrus pulp was increased from 0 and 45%. It is concluded that when silages are based on wheat straw and poultry litter, inclusion of molasses ensures favourable fermentation. However, in the presence of citrus pulp there was no additional benefit to the use of molasses.

Co-ensiling garlic stalk with citrus pulp improves the fermentation quality and feed-nutritional value

“…Consistent with our findings, Migwi et al [23] reported that when 5% molasses was added to the mixture of wheat straw+ broiler litter, no effect on silage pH was detected. However, when the proportion of CP increased from 0 to 30% in the silage, the pH declined markedly [23]. Similarly, when CP was ensiled alone, lactic acid concentration was negligible (1.02% of DM, after 14 d of ensiling; Figure 2).…”

“…After 14 d of ensiling, the pH of GS 50%+CP 50% silage declined markedly, which is suggestive of successful silage fermentation that is known to slow down or inhibit the growth of fungi, molds, and yeasts [25]. Consistent with our findings, Migwi et al [23] reported that when 5% molasses was added to the mixture of wheat straw+ broiler litter, no effect on silage pH was detected. However, when the proportion of CP increased from 0 to 30% in the silage, the pH declined markedly [23].…”

“…This experiment evaluated the co-ensiling of GS with CP as an alternative storage technology, which has been successful in improving the silage fermentation quality of several feedstuffs [23]. For example, the recent co-ensiling of wheat straw with sugar beet waste has proved to be a successful storage method for their long-term preservation [24].…”

Substitution of various agricultural by-products improves fermentation profile and in vitro digestibility of rice straw silage

“…Anastácio and Carvalho (2013) reported that SPP possessed more than threefold phenolic contents than the other plant tissues. Citrus pulp (CRP) is the by-product after juice extraction, containing high contents of fermentable substrates such as monosaccharides and non-starch polysaccharides (Migwi et al ., 2000). Deterioration of silage occurs during transferring and feed-out period in tropics and subtropics.…”