Effect of Age at Harvest on whole Cassava (Manihot esculenta) silage Qualities

Abstract

Improving local feed reso urce is a growing concern. Cassava is one of Indonesian loca l feed resource that can be gro'vvn in almost all of Indonesian region. However, because of its competitive use for human consumption and fuel production, and its high cyanic acid content, as well as its seasonal availability, therefore, utilization of the whole crop and conservation technique should be applied. So far, there is limited information available about the age at harvest of the plant to produce the best quality of its whole crop silage. The study was aimed to compare 7. 8 and 9 months of age at harvesting time of cassava plant on whole crop silage qualities produced. The qualities were compared based on their physical (color, odor, moisture, texture. and spoilage), ensiling (pH. DM, VFA, DM losses, CP, N-NH3, CP degradation, WSC used. HCN and tleigh point) and utility (in vill'o rumen fermentabilities and degradabilities ) characteristics. Two kg of well mixed chopped sample of each the whole plants were ensiled for 5 weeks anaerobically in three fold 35 x 50 cm polyvinyl bags silo at room temperature. The ex periment was designed completely random and each treatment was repeated thrice. Ensiling process reduced HCN content of the silage by Illore than 60%. Harvesting cassava plant at 8 months of age gave the best whole cassava plant silage quality (best phys ical ch'aracteristics. higher tleigh point as well as in vitro rumen digestibility). Because of its low CP co ntent. so lely diet in ruminant should be avoided.