Chemical composition and fermentation dynamics of jackfruit silage

Abstract

It was evaluated the effect of adding corn meal (5%) and urea (1%) in the chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of jackfruit silage, using a randomized experimental design with factorial arrangement 3x7 (treatment x day of opening) with two replications. Silos of PVC, 10 cm diameter x 40 cm in length, were used. The opening of the silos then assessing the chemical composition and silage fermentation occurred at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days after ensiling. The dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were significantly highest (P <0.05) with the addition of 5% corn and 1% urea, respectively. The pH found in all treatments was considered ideal for good quality silage. The addition of urea increased significantly (P <0.05) values of ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3/NT). The addition of 1% urea worked as alkali in the cell wall of the ensiled material, shown by the reduction in levels of fibrous fractions. The jackfruit has a potential for conservation as silage and the use of corn and urea as additives enhances the fermentation and silage quality.