The quality indices of fodders from some common millet cultivars (Panicum miliaceum)
under the conditions of the Republic of Moldova

Victor Ţîţei

        National Botanical Garden, Institute "Alexandru Ciubotaru" State University from the Republic of Moldova

Keywords: biochemical composition, forage value, green mass, hay, Panicum miliaceum, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Pennisetum glaucum, silage.

Abstract: We investigated the quality of the fodder from proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), Chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), which grow in the experimental plot of the “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute), Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The results revealed that the dry matter of whole plants of the studied millet species contained: 11.6-13.5% CP, 7.5-9.3% minerals, 37.0- 40.6% CF, 36.0-40.6% ADF, 60.6-65.1% NDF, 3.3-4.2 % ADL, 9.9-16.6% TSS, 33.7-36.4% Cel, 23.725.0% HC with forage value 573-600 g/kg DDM, RFV= 82-92, 11.39-11.88 MJ/kg DE, 9.359.76 MJ/kg ME and 5.37-5.78 MJ/kg NEl. The biochemical composition and forage value of hay dry matter were: 12.8-13.0% CP, 9.2-10.0% minerals, 35.4- 41.7% CF, 36.8-44.1% ADF, 60.170.4% NDF, 3.1-4.2 % ADL, 9.0% TSS, 33.2-39.9% Cel, 23.3-26.3% HC, 545-602 g/kg DDM, RFV= 71-93, 10.88-11.92 MJ/kg DE, 8.94-9.78 MJ/kg ME and 4.98-5.80 MJ/kg NEl. The ensiled dry mass contained 12.0-13.3% CP, 9.3-11.5% minerals, 37.0-41.2% CF, 37.1-43.9% ADF, 63.0-68.8% NDF, 2.0-3.1% ADL, 6.7-9.8% TSS, 35.1-40.3% Cel, 23.3-27.7% HC with forage value 547-600 g/kg DDM, RFV= 74-92, 10.93-11.87 MJ/kg DE, 8.96-9.75 MJ/kg ME and 4.99-5.76 MJ/kg NEl.