Effect of Molasses and Fermented Juice of Epiphytic Lactic Acid Bacteria on the Fermentation Characteristics and Nutrient Compositions of Cassava Leaves Silage

Molasses and fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) addition improved the quality of cassava leaves silage; however their effect depends on the types of forages ensiled. Thus, this study was aimed to compare the effect of molasses and FJLB additives on the fermentation characteristics and nutrient compositions of cassava leaves silage. Cassava leaves were chopped into pieces of 1-2 cm length before ensiling. The molasses 5% (w/w) and FJLB 1% (v/w) of fresh material were added as silage additives. As the measurement, the physical characteristics, chemical compositions, nutritive values, organic acid concentrations, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count, volatile based nitrogen (VBN) and V-score of experimental silages were determined. In general, the physical characteristics and nutritive values of molasses and FJLB silages were not significantly different (p>0.05), however crude protein and fibre contents of FJLB silage were significantly higher (p<0.05) than molasses silage. Inversely, total carbohydrate and non fibre carbohydrate contents of molasses silage were also greater (p<0.05) than FJLB silage, resulted the higher feed intake in molasses silage. The acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations were greater (p<0.05) in molasses silage, whereas the higher (p<0.05) LAB count was found in FJLB silage. Regarding the indicators for good quality silage, VBN and V-score, both FJLB and molasses silages possessed the parameters for good quality silages. Thus, this experiment indicated that FJLB can be alternatively used as additive instead of using molasses in cassava leaves silage.