Evaluation of Physical Quality, Nutrient Content, and Nutrient Losses in Odot Grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) Silage With Molasses and Pollard Additives

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of odot grass made into silage with the addition of molasses and pollard additives as ruminant feed. The research materials used included odot grass, molasses, and pollard. The research method was an experiment using a complete random design (CRD) consisting of 3 treatments. The difference in treatment was based on the addition of pollard levels in the form of P1 (12.5%), P2 (22%), and P3 (32.4%), and the addition of molasses to each treatment of 5%. The variables observed consisted of nutrient content after or before silage, physical quality, pH, and nutrient loss. The results showed that the nutrient content of each treatment tended to increase with the addition of pollard to odot grass silage. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the addition of pollard at different levels had a very significant effect on the nutrient content of odot grass silage (P <0.01). Physical quality showed that P3 had the best aroma, texture, and color quality with the absence of fungi, and a pH of around 3.75. The loss of nutrients from odot grass silage showed the smallest results obtained in P3, compared to other treatments. Thus, the results showed that the addition of pollard at a level of 32.4% provided good physical quality, increased nutrition, and nutrient resistance from loss.