Quality Parameters and Fermentation Characteristics of Ensiled Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

The present experimentwas performed to explore the nutritional potential of wilted Water Hyacinth silage as an unconventional feed resource. A total of seven Water hyacinth silage; six were wilted viz. T1 (Eichhoria 78.9%+ rice straw (RS) 16.84%+ molasses 4.2%) T2 (Eichhoria 78.9%+ RS 16.3+ molasses 4.2%+Urea 0.52%); T3 (Eichhoria 78.9%+ RS10.5%+ molasses 4.2%+ wheat bran (WB) 6.3%); T4 (Eichhoria 78.9%+ RS 10.5%+ molasses 4.2%+ moringa 6.3%); T5 (Eichhoria 68.42%+ RS 26.31%+ molasses 4.2%); T6 (Eichhoria 68.42% + RS 26.31%+ molasses 4.2% and Urea 1.05%) and one without wilting T7 (Eichhoria 100%) were prepared. The DM and NDF content was (P<0.001) found to be higher in T-5 and T-6. However, T-3 and T-5 treatment WH silage produced with higher (P<0.001) C.P. content. The fibre content NDF, ADF and cellulose levels were lower (P<0.001)in T-3 and T-4 and higher (P<0.001) RS 26.31% (T5 and T6). Addition of 10.5% RS +6.3 % WB or 6.3% moringa (T3 and T4) resulted in (P<0.001) increase of CP, DM intake (%BW), digestible DM (%), TDN (%), RFV and RFQ. NGP (ml/g) decreased (P<0.05) in T-3 and T-4, whereas OMD (%) and ME (Kcal/g), NDFD%, PF and MBP levels were augmented (P<0.001). WH silage (T7) was especially poor in quality with unacceptable odor and colour. It may be stated that wilted water hyacinth silage may be enhanced with rice straw (10.5%) or wheat bran (6.3%) or moring aoleifera (6.3%) and molasses (4.2%) with the view to use as unconventional feed resource in animal feed.