Evaluation of maize silage containing moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves for quality and nutrient utilization in goats

A study was conducted to evaluate the incorporation of moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves in maize (Zea mays) silage on quality and nutrient utilization in goats. Two types of silage viz., maize (M) and maize-moringa (75:25) (MM) were prepared in bags during October-November, 2020. After 60 days of anaerobic fermentation, quality and nutrient composition were studied. Dry matter was 21.35% and 30.27%, pH 3.68 and 4.38, lactic acid 26.16 and 18.0 mg/100 g, soluble sugar content 2.48 and 1.60% and crude protein 8.49 and 9.53%, respectively in M and MM silages. There was non-significant (p<0.05) differences in the silage characters. Organic matter and fibre fractions were similar in both the silages. Dry matter intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in MM group (415.76 g/d) as compared to M group (346.65 g/d). Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fibre fractions digestibility and nitrogen balance non-significantly (p>0.05) differed between the groups. It was inferred that moringa leaves can be incorporated in maize silage at 25% level without any adverse effect on quality, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance.