Assessment of Physical and Chemical Properties of Hay Prepared from Different Species of Fodder

Abstract

The current study was conducted to determine physical properties and nutritional quality of hay prepared from soybean, cowpea and grass pea fodders. Cultivation of fodder species and preparation of hay were carried out in the field laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University. The fodders for making hay were cut in the morning and drying in the sun for 3 to 4 days. Three fodder species viz. soybean, cowpea, and grass pea were selected for hay preparation. Three replicates were maintained for each species. Three samples were collected from each species for evaluation of physical and chemical properties. To determine the physical properties, leafiness, color, maturity at harvest, odor, softness, and purity was examined. Chemical analysis was performed in the Animal Husbandry Laboratory, Khulna University following the procedure of AOAC (1990). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS (version 22) and R software in computer. From the study of physical properties of hay, it was found that leafiness, color, maturity at harvest, odor, softness, and purity was acceptable levels for all the samples under study. Chemical analysis showed that the highest dry matter (DM) content (%) was observed in grass pea (90.40 ± 0.48) and the lowest in soybean (89.47 ± 0.45) (p<0.001). The crude protein (CP) was found to be highest (p<0.001) in grass pea (16.54 ± 0.45) and lowest in cowpea (11.85 ± 0.47). The highest (p<0.001) crude fiber (CF) was found in soybean (28.65 ± 0.40) and lowest in grass pea (18.55 ± 0.50). The highest (p<0.001) ether extract (EE) was found in soybean (5.98 ± 0.36) and lowest in cowpea (4.18 ± 0.14). The ash contents were ranged from 9.64 ± 0.34 to 17.49± 1.72 being highest cowpea and lowest in soybean hay. The highest (p<0.001) nitrogen-free-extract (NFE) was found in grass pea (49.20 ± 0.53) and lowest in soybean (40.68 ± 0.75). The calcium content was found to be highest (p<0.001) in cowpea (2.01 ± 0.10) and lowest in grass pea (1.12 ± 0.08). Highest (p<0.001) phosphorus content was found in soybean (1.30 ± 0.03) and lowest in cowpea (0.15 ± 0.01). It can be concluded that by making hay using local knowledge and low-cost inputs, forage can be better preserved. Among the hay prepared from the three grass species, grass pea was found to have better nutritional value in terms of DM and CP contents.