Effect of the Ratio Between Corn Forage and Red Calliandra on Ph, Lactic Acid, Ammonia, and Organic Matter Changes in Silage

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of corn stover and red calliandra ratios on pH, lactic acid, ammonia, and organic matter (OM) change of silage. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used with four treatments and five replications, consisting of P1 (90% corn stover + 10% red calliandra), P2 (80% corn stover + 20% red calliandra), P3 (70% corn stover + 30% red calliandra), P4 (60% corn stover + 40% red calliandra). All data were analyzed using analysis of varians (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. The observed variables included pH, lactic acid, ammonia, and changes in silage organic matter. The results showed that the ratios of corn stover and red calliandra had no significant effect on pH, lactic acid, ammonia or changes in silage organic matter (p > 0,05). The best treatment was obtained in P1 (90% corn stover + 10% red calliandra), which produced the lowest pH (4,07), the lowest ammonia level (4,68%), and the smallest organic matter loss (-0,35%), indicating slightly more efficient fermentation. It can be concluded that the combination of corn stover and red calliandra produces silage with relatively uniform chemical quality, while the ratio of 90% corn stover and 10% red calliandra tends to provide the most optimal fermentation outcome.