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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2016, Vol. 15 Issue (1): 175-182    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(14)60939-4
Animal Science · Veterinary Science Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Chemical composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics of high sugar forage sorghum as an alternative to forage maize for silage making in Tarim Basin, China
 ZHANG Su-jiang, Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry, Diky Ramdani, Amerjan Osman, GUO Xue-feng, Grant Raymond Edwards, Long Cheng
1、Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology, College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Alar 843300,P.R.China
2、School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
3、Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University Padjadjaran, Indonesia 45363, Indonesia
4、College of Plant Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, P.R.China
5、Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Christchurch, P.O.Box 85084, New Zealand
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摘要  The chemical composition, mineral profile and in vitro fermentation characteristics of maize (MZ), high sugar forage sorghum (HS) and forage sorghum (FS), and silages made from each forage type were measured. The MZ and MZ silage (MZS) had higher crude protein, starch and ether extract contents than both sorghum forages and sorghum silages. HS had higher ash and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations than FS and MZ. MZ, MZS, HS and HS silage (HSS) had lower neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin than FS and FS silage (FSS). FSS had higher dry matter (DM) and pH than MZS and HSS. HSS contained higher concentrations of P and K than FSS and MZS. MZS and HSS had higher in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility, CH4 production, total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate than FSS. pH was higher for FSS than for HSS, and ammonia was lower for HSS than for MZS and FSS. HSS had higher gas production than MZS and FSS after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h incubation. MZS had higher gas production than HSS and FSS after 26 and 28 h of incubation. The results indicate that HS may substitute for MZ to make good quality silage. However, animal studies are needed to assess the acceptability and feeding values of HSS vs. MZS for ruminant production.

Abstract  The chemical composition, mineral profile and in vitro fermentation characteristics of maize (MZ), high sugar forage sorghum (HS) and forage sorghum (FS), and silages made from each forage type were measured. The MZ and MZ silage (MZS) had higher crude protein, starch and ether extract contents than both sorghum forages and sorghum silages. HS had higher ash and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations than FS and MZ. MZ, MZS, HS and HS silage (HSS) had lower neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin than FS and FS silage (FSS). FSS had higher dry matter (DM) and pH than MZS and HSS. HSS contained higher concentrations of P and K than FSS and MZS. MZS and HSS had higher in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility, CH4 production, total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate than FSS. pH was higher for FSS than for HSS, and ammonia was lower for HSS than for MZS and FSS. HSS had higher gas production than MZS and FSS after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h incubation. MZS had higher gas production than HSS and FSS after 26 and 28 h of incubation. The results indicate that HS may substitute for MZ to make good quality silage. However, animal studies are needed to assess the acceptability and feeding values of HSS vs. MZS for ruminant production.
Keywords:  high sugar forage sorghum       maize silage       digestibility       methane       gas production  
Received: 14 November 2014   Accepted:
Fund: 

The study was jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31160472) and the Chancellor Funds of Tarim University, China (TDZKBS201102). Dr. Long Cheng was funded by Agmardt Post-Doctoral Fellowship (New Zealand).

Corresponding Authors:  Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry, Tel: +44-1912088499, E-mail: abdul.chaudhry@ncl.ac.uk     E-mail:  abdul.chaudhry@ncl.ac.uk
About author:  ZHANG Su-jiang, Mobile: +86-15292300910, E-mail: zsjdky@126.com;

Cite this article: 

ZHANG Su-jiang, Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry, Diky Ramdani, Amerjan Osman, GUO Xue-feng, Grant Raymond Edwards, Long Cheng. 2016. Chemical composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics of high sugar forage sorghum as an alternative to forage maize for silage making in Tarim Basin, China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 15(1): 175-182.

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