A study on efficiency of napier grass and maize straw mixed silages

In order to study the efficiency of mixed silages of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and maize straw (Zea mays var. rugosa) with different moisture contents, the quality of mixed silages after 60 day fermentation in normal temperature was evaluated in which napier grass and maize straw with a same moisture content (71.20%) were brewed a mixed silage with 73.86%-73.10% moisture content (MC1 silage); and also napier grass with 59.30% and maize straw with 59.10% moisture content were brewed a mixed silage with 62.30%-60.91% moisture content (MC2 silage). Both MC1 and MC2 silages were mixed with 3 ratios at 80∶20, 70∶30 and 60∶40 of napier grass to maize straw by weight. Every treatment had 3 replicates. The results showed that the qualities of all the mixed silages were excellent. For both MC1 and MC2 silages, as the ratio of maize straw increased, the lactic acid content and dry matter recovery rate significantly increased (P0.01), while the pH value, the contents of moisture, acetic acid, ammoniaN, neutral and acid detergent fiber significantly decreased (P0.01 or P0.05). The quality of MC2 silage was better than that of MC1 silage.