The Digestibility of Sugarcane Tops Silage by Rumen Bacteria or Microorganisms of Holstein Cows and Buffaloes of Khuzestan

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is widely cultivated in south west of Iran for production of sugar. After harvest, a lot of sugarcane tops remain on the farm that can be used to feed ruminants. The total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude fiber of sugarcane top is about 72% and 39%, respectively. The digestibility of dry matter (54%) and crude protein (39%) of sugarcane top is low. Large amount of sugarcane top is wasted or burned annually. The sugarcane tops is important as forage for feeding of livestock. Preparation of sugarcane tops silage is a useful method to store and using it in whole seasons, prevent from wasting at the harvesting season and rich it using additives. Due to the low fermentable carbohydrate, and fibrous nature of sugarcane top, its durability of silage is short and quality of silage is inappropriate. Therefore, different methods can be used to enrich and enhance durability. The digestible protein of sugarcane top is low, so a proper nitrogen source is useful to improve the nutritional value of the sugarcane top. Using urea and molasses individually, is not suitable method for long term storage of sugarcane tops silage. The acids prevents from degradation of proteins in the silage, and decrease the pH rapidly. The bacteria have the most important role in digestion and degradation of starch, protein and plant cell wall. The aim of present experiment was to study the effect of sulfuric acid added to sugarcane top silage on digestion activity of rumen bacteria and whole rumen microorganisms, and followed by to compare the digestibility of sugarcane silage treated with urea + molasses and sulfuric acid between Holstein cattle and Khuzestan water buffalos. The experimental treatments were ensiled sugarcane top by some additives included: 1) untreated (no additive) 2) urea (1%) + molasses (3%), 3) sulfuric acid (2.4% dry matter weight), 4) Both, urea+molasses and sulfuric acid. Rumen fluid was taken from buffalo and Holstein cow through rumen fistula. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter (DM) of sugarcane top silage by total rumen microorganisms of cow was more than buffalo. Regardless of the type of animal, digestibility of DM by whole rumen microorganisms for urea+molassses and acid, and digestibility neutral detergent fiber for acid was highest amount (P