Enrichment of Ensilage Quality and Nutrients of Whole-Plant Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Based Silages

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed at enriching the ensilaged quality and nutrient contents of whole-plant water hyacinths (WWH) based silages in different recipes. Study Design: Twelve recipes with three replications each were assigned in a completely random design. Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Science and Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Lampang Campus, Thailand, between October 2018 and September 2019. Methodology: Treatments were twelve recipes including: T1= light wilted WWH+ 1.96% salt,  T2 = light wilted WWH + 4.15% molasses + 8.27% rice bran, T3 = light wilted  WWH + 6.63% molasses + 15.86% rice bran, T4 = light wilted WWH +8.91% molasses + 22.83% rice bran, T5 = moderate wilted WWH + 1.59% Salt, T6 = moderate WWH + 11.17% molasses + 13.33% rice bran, T7 = moderate wilted WWH + 10.75 % molasses + 25.67% rice bran, T8 = moderate wilted WWH + 10.36% molasses + 37.11% rice bran, T9 = extremely wilted WWH + 1.16% salt, T10 = extremely wilted WWH + 5.10% rice bran, T11 = extremely wilted WWH + 4.30% molasses, T12 = extremely wilted WWH + 4.30% molasses + 5.14% rice bran. Each recipe was mixed into triplicates of a 30 kg high-density polyethylene plastic bag under anaerobic condition for 30 days. Results: The results demonstrated that T6, T7, and T8 were quite superior in fermentation characteristics; T3, T4, T6, T7, and T8 were judged outstanding in physical assessment; T4, T6, T7, and T8 were more appropriate in terms of nutritive values. Conclusion: This work demonstrated that WWH can be upgraded into high-quality silage by wilting, chopping into pieces, adding rice bran and molasses, and ensilaged for about 30 days. The finding from this study indicated that T6, T7, and T8 were fit all aspects and recommended as recipes for producing high-quality WWH-based silage for ruminants.