The potency of rice straw for ruminant feed on several rice varieties

Abstract

Indonesia has a lot of rice varieties. However, to the authors’ knowledge, studies on the potential of several rice varieties as ruminant feed have never been carried out. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the potential of rice straws of several rice varieties for ruminant feed. The study was conducted in 2021 in South Lampung District, Lampung Province, Indonesia. Seven rice varieties (Inpari 30, Inpari 32, Inpari 33, Inpari 35, Ciherang, Bestari, and Cilamaya Muncul) were used in this study. The variables observed were vegetative and production characteristics. The vegetative characteristics observed were plant height, stump height, straw length, and the percentage of straw height and plant height. The production variables observed were the number of tillers per hill, straw weight, the ratio of straw and grain weight, and the percentage of straw length and plant height. The data obtained were analyzed using the single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result showed that plant heights were significantly different among rice varieties (P<0.01). Inpari 35 variety has the highest plant and the widest straw length compared to others. Inpari 32, Ciherang, and Bestari, on the other hand, have the highest stump height. Inpari 33 and Inpari 35 have the widest straw length and plant height percentage. Meanwhile, Cilamaya Muncul has the highest number of tillers per hill, straw weight, the ratio of straw weight, and straw weight and plant weight percentage. It was concluded that the Cilamaya Muncul variety has the best potency for ruminant feed.