Mixed Silage of Banana Pseudostem and Maize Stover on Ethiopian Smallholder Farms: Effect of Fermentation Package and Location on Microbiological and Nutritional Evaluation

Ashenafi Azage Mitiku, Dries Vandeweyer, Ines Adriaens, Yisehak Kechero, Leen Van Campenhout and Ben Aernouts ()
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Ashenafi Azage Mitiku: Research Group for Insect Production and Processing (IP&P), Division of Food and Microbial Technology (CLMT), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Geel Campus, KU Leuven, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
Dries Vandeweyer: Research Group for Insect Production and Processing (IP&P), Division of Food and Microbial Technology (CLMT), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Geel Campus, KU Leuven, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
Ines Adriaens: Livestock Technology Research Group, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, Department of Biosystems, Geel Campus, KU Leuven, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
Yisehak Kechero: College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch P.O. Box 21, Ethiopia
Leen Van Campenhout: Research Group for Insect Production and Processing (IP&P), Division of Food and Microbial Technology (CLMT), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Geel Campus, KU Leuven, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
Ben Aernouts: Livestock Technology Research Group, Division of Animal and Human Health Engineering, Department of Biosystems, Geel Campus, KU Leuven, B-2440 Geel, Belgium

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: Preservation of widely available crop residues as silage could reduce feed shortages in Ethiopia. Four mixtures of banana pseudostem (BPS) and fresh maize stover (FMS) were prepared for fermentation considering the local conditions and available resources: 100% FMS, 80% FMS + 20% BPS, 60% FMS + 40% BPS and 95% BPS + 5% molasses. Each of the four mixtures was fermented in plastic bags as well as in plastic drums. Apart from the effect of the mixture and fermentation package, two fermentation locations were also considered. The fermentation was replicated three times for each combination of mixture, fermentation package and fermentation condition. The pH, microbial counts (total viable count, lactic acid bacteria count, Enterobacteriaceae count, yeast and mold count) and nutritional values of the fresh material and mixed silage were measured. Fermentation was successful for all mixed silages, reaching a pH below four, while the total viable count, Enterobacteriaceae count, yeast and mold count dropped (all p ≤ 0.05) and digestibility and metabolizable energy increased compared to the fresh mixtures. Enterobacteriaceae counts reached values below the detection limit in all mixed silages fermented in drums unlike the bag silages. The plastic bags used as fermentation package were found to be sensitive to damage, resulting in a a higher pH and visible signs of yeast and mold. Although fermentation of BPS with molasses resulted in a significant increase in dry matter digestibility (41.14 to 46.17–49.92%) and organic matter digestibility (50.52 to 55.22–58.75%), they were lower compared to most mixed silages with FMS. Fermentation of 80 and 60% FMS mixtures increased the crude protein content from 44.30 to 71.27–82.20 g/kg DM, and from 43.63 to 63.10–65.83 g/kg DM, respectively. The highest increase (1.77 MJ/kg DM) in metabolizable energy was recorded for 80% FMS fermented in drums. The location of fermentation had no effect on pH, microbial counts and nutritional values. This study demonstrates that crop by-products can be successfully fermented under conditions prevailing in Ethiopia, with drums being preferred over bags. Mixing BPS with FMS is advised to absorb BPS juice losses and obtain silage with more crude protein, neutral and acid detergent fibers and metabolizable energy, as well as a higher digestibility.

Keywords: maize stover; banana pseudostem; silage; microbial counts; nutritional value; farm scale (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: 2023
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