PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

This study aims to determine the effect of the cutting process and drying period using sunlight on the hay quality of dwarf Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Asystasia gangetica. Hay quality of both species was evaluated in a completely randomised design corresponding to five drying periods (one to five days), with or without cutting process, with three replicates. Both plants were harvested at a vegetative stage and then divided into two portions: unchopped and chopped. Plants were dried using sunlight for the respective drying period, and hay quality was examined in physical and chemical analyses. Each sample was analysed for dry matter (DM) content. The A. gangetica at four days drying period and Napier grass at five days drying period were selected for chemical analysis. Results showed that the physical characteristics of hays for both plants were not affected by the drying periods and cutting process. Asystasia gangetica achieved higher DM content than Napier grass for almost all drying periods. For Napier grass, the three days were drying periods that achieved the desirable DM content (>85.0%), while two days were drying periods for A. gangetica. Napier grass contained higher crude fibre and ether extract contents than A. gangetica, while crude protein content appeared vice versa. The nutritive values of both plants were not affected by the cutting process. In conclusion, Napier grass’s three days drying periods and a two days drying period of A. gangetica can achieve the desirable DM content under sunny conditions.

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