Digestibility, protozoa population and ruminal fermentation parameters in sheep fed leaf and stem of banana tree silage with inedible date

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of leaf and stem of banana tree silage with inedible date on nutrients digestibility, ruminal VFA concentration, NH3-N, pH and species of ruminal protozoa in sheep. For ensiling, 85 kg of the leaf and stem of banana tree were mixed with 15 kg of inedible date and ensiled for 45 days. After determining the chemical composition and ME of the silage of leaf and stem of banana tree with inedible date, levels of 0, 7, 14 and 21 (DM basis) of silage were used in experimental diets. Four mature ram were used in a change over design with four periods of 21 days. In this study, ensiling of leaf and stem of banana tree with inedible date increased dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, but decreased ash and neutral detergent fiber of silage. Considering Fleig-point (100), pH (4.4) and ME (2.05), the silage of leaf and stem of banana tree with inedible date had proper quality. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber of experimental diets containing 14 and 21 % silage were lower than control diet (P<0.05). The mean concentration of ruminal VFA, acetate to propionate ratio, NH3-N, pH, total population and species of ruminal protozoa were not affected in sheep fed experimental diets. Considering no change in dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation parameters, silage of leaf and stem banana tree with inedible date can be used in sheep nutrition.