Effect of sulfuric acid and molasses on the chemical composition, ruminal fermentation, and digestibility of silage of Conocarpus erectus L. tree leaves and branches

Conocarpus is a non-toxic plant and exhibits disparate applications in animal nutrition. Leaves, shoots, and remaining branches of this pruning shrub can be used as ideal feed for livestock. In view of this, this experiment was performed to investigate the effect of silage additive on the chemical composition of Conocarpus (Conocarpus erectus L.) silage as well as in vitro gas production parameters and digestibility in a completely randomized design with four replicates up to 45 days. Sulfuric acid (2.3 l−1 t; A) and molasses (5% w/w; M) were used as a silage additive in this context. The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) No additive (Conocarpus silage; CS); (2) CS + A (CSA), and (3) CS + A + M (CSAM). Samples were used to determine the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, and digestibility parameters. Results showed that dry and organic matter of silage increased (P < 0.05) due to the supplementation of CSA and CSAM. The amount of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased (P < 0.05) in all treatments. The highest (P < 0.05) amount of crude protein was observed in CSAM treatment. The CSAM treatment led to reduce (P < 0.05) the ammonia-N and pH of silage. Ruminal gas production, organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, apparently degraded substrate, short-chain fatty acids, and coefficients b and c were estimated to be increased (P < 0.05) in CSA and CSAM treatments. The CSA treatment showed increment (P < 0.05) in microbial protein production only. The amount of ruminal ammonia-N was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for CS treatment. After 120 h of incubation period, the ruminal pH was not affected (P > 0.05) in experimental treatments. The highest (P < 0.05) digestibility amount dry matter and neutral detergent fiber were reported in CSAM and CSA treatments. Data suggested that addition of sulfuric acid and its combination with molasses improved the in vitro ruminal gas production and digestibility of the Conocarpus leaves silage as a propitious alternative feeding resource for livestock animals.