Chemical Composition, In vitro Gas Production and In Sacco Degradation of Oil Palm Tree Pith Silages

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the chemical composition, gas production kinetics and in sacco ruminal degradation of oil palm tree pith. The experiment design was conducted by complete randomized design (CRD). The treatments consisted of T1 = oil palm tree pith, T2 = oil palm tree pith silage, T3 = 5% urea + oil palm tree pith silage, T4 = 3% molasses + oil palm tree pith silage, T5 = 5% urea with 3% molasses + oil palm tree pith silage, and T6 = by-product of pineapple stem silage. Silage samples were collected at 21 days and their chemical composition, gas production techniques and the rate of degradation of dry matter were examined. The chemical compositions of oil palm tree pith (T1) comprise dry matter 42.4%, crude protein 1.48 %DM, neutral detergent fiber 50.71 %DM and acid detergent fiber 30.35 %DM. Oil palm tree pith silages, T2- T5, consisted of crude protein 2.09, 12.78, 3.74 and 14.53 %%DM, respectively, NDF between 48.15-52.07 %DM and ADF between 29.05-31.25 %DM. By-product of pineapple stem silage (T6) produced the highest gas production. T5 had the highest gas production value compared to other oil palm tree pith. Rumen degradation values of T5 had the highest degradation rate when compared to other oil palm tree pith silages. The rate of rumen degradation increased with higher rumen fermentation time. Therefore, it can be concluded that the oil palm tree pith fermented with urea and molasses improves rumen fermentation and can be used as a roughage source for ruminants.