Effect of refused melon fruit inclusion on sorghum ensilage

Abstract

Ensilage of refused fruit with forage is a viable approach to increase resource use in ruminant feed. The use of refused melon (Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo var. inodorus H. Jacq.) fruit (RMF), ensiled at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, or 8% of natural matter with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), was assessed in terms of chemical- bromatological composition and fermentative profile. Experimental silos filled with mixtures and hermetically sealed were used. After 34 d of fermentation, the silos were opened, and samples were analyzed. Dry matter concentration shows a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) with RMF inclusion in sorghum silage rising from 30.83% to 32.08% at 4% of RMF inclusion, followed by a reduction in the subsequent levels. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) in ether extract, total digestible nutrients, digestible energy, metabolizable energy, and in vitro digestibility of DM and organic matter, increasing respectively 3.96%, 5.32%, 0.25 Mcal kg-1, 0.19 Mcal kg-1, 1.89% and 0.74% from 0% to 8% of RMF inclusion. There was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) of neutral detergent fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin with RMF inclusion. We also observed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in ammoniacal N, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and lactic acid concentrations in silage with the addition of RMF. The inclusion of RMF improved the chemical-bromatological composition and fermentative profile of sorghum silage, and an inclusion level of 8% is recommended.