Influence of Adding Dehydrated Medicago sativa on the Nutritional Parameters Related to Hedychium gardnerianum Silage Quality

Cristiana Maduro Dias, Hélder Nunes, Salomé Ribeiro, João Madruga and Alfredo Borba ()
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Cristiana Maduro Dias: Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Hélder Nunes: Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Salomé Ribeiro: Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
João Madruga: Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Alfredo Borba: Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: This study investigated using Hedychium gardnerianum , an invasive plant, combined with dehydrated alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) with varying percentages of alfalfa: control (0% alfalfa), T1 (10%), T2 (20%), T3 (30%), and T4 (40%), to enhance nutritional parameters in silage for ruminants in the Azores. Samples were vacuum-sealed and stored for 45 days at room temperature to promote anaerobic fermentation. Chemical analysis showed that alfalfa addition increased dry matter (DM) from 12.33% to 48.04% and crude protein from 11.34% DM to 24.63% DM. Insoluble fiber levels decreased, enhancing digestibility. In vitro fermentation indicated higher gas production in 40% alfalfa silage, suggesting faster fermentation. In conclusion, incorporating dehydrated alfalfa into Hedychium gardnerianum silage particularly enhances nutritional quality and digestibility. This approach offers a practical solution for ruminant feed in the Azores, particularly during feed scarcity periods.

Keywords: Hedychium gardnerianum; Medicago sativa; ruminant feed; conservation of forage crops; invasive plants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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