Effect of ensiling time and browse species on silage mineral interactions in relation to goat’s nutrient requirements

Abstract

Four different browses viz Gmelina arborea Roxb, Gliricidia sepium Jacq, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, and Leucaena leucocephala Lam were used to investigate the effect of browse and sampling time on silage major minerals interactions in relation to nutrient requirements of goats. The four browses were ensiled in air-tight rubber drum for 90 days and samplings were done at day 0, 30, 60, and 90 for mineral analysis. Mineral interactions included calcium and phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, calcium and sulfur, phosphorus and magnesium, sodium and potassium, potassium and magnesium, potassium/calcium + magnesium along with nitrogen and sulfur ratios. All the values/ratios were within range of optimum values for goats. Hence, goats fed with these browses will neither experience any clinical and sub-clinical deficiency symptoms nor the attendant low productivity and reproduction associated with sole feeding, thereby reducing the extra cost of procuring custom or commercial salt supplements.