Silage quality traits of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid and sunn hemp mixtures at different ratios in the Mediterranean climate

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine some silage quality traits of silage alternatives prepared in different mixture rates of sorghumsudangrass hybrid [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench x Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf] which is more drought tolerant than maize, and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) which has a high protein content, under Mediterranean ecological conditions. Different silage alternatives (sorghum-sudangrass hybrid % - sunn hemp %; 100-0, 80-20, 60-40, 50-50, 40-60, 20-80, 0-100, based on fresh matter) were prepared in a randomized design with four replications in both years. Silage weight loss and pH, dry matter, Flieg score, crude protein, crude ash, ADF, NDF, metabolizable energy, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and relative feed value were determined at the end of 8 weeks ensilage. According to results, good quality silages can be made from all silage alternatives of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid and sunn hemp without affecting the fermentation process. In addition, silages made by adding sunn hemp to sorghum-sudangrass hybrid at different rates have more nutritional value than pure sorghum-sudangrass hybrid silage without sacrificing quality. Ensiling the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid on a fresh matter basis with up to 50% sunn hemp can be recommended for optimum quality. In animal nutrition, it would be best to choose one of the silage alternatives according to the need in the rations