Evaluation of Phalaris aquatica grass as potential green forage and silage for Nilgiri hills of South India

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the yield and nutritional value of Phalaris aquatica grass in the typical mountain environment of Nilgiri hills. The mean DM yield for Phalaris aquatica grass were recorded as 5.14 and 4.19 t/ha/cut for rain fed and irrigated conditions, respectively. Crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract and total ash content of Phalaris grass on DM basis were 17.04, 25.31, 3.38 and 10.90%, respectively. The corresponding values for Phalaris silage were 9.77, 24.84, 3.56 and 13.43%, respectively. The pH and lactic acid content in Phalaris silage was 4.96 and 11.88 %, respectively. Study revealed that Phalaris aquatica can be used for silage making.