Abstract

This study aimed to select suitable Urochloa and Megathyrsus grass species for silage production by evaluating their growth, yield, and silage quality. The experiment was conducted in 2023 on Kamphaeng Saen soil series, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications and 7 treatments: Ruzi grass, Mulato II, Cayman, Camello (Urochloa), Purple Guinea grass, Mombasa, and Moon River (Megathyrsus). Growth and yield data were collected at 45 days of age, and the grasses were then ensiled for 21 days to analyze physical characteristics, including pH, odor, texture, and color, as well as nutritional values such as NDF, ADF, ADL, and ash.

The results showed that during the dry season, Camello grass had a height comparable to Ruzi and Mombasa Guinea grass. However, in the rainy season, Camello grass had a significantly lower height than Mombasa. Megathyrsus species exhibited fewer tillers than Ruzi and Mulato II in all seasons, while dry matter yield in the rainy season was higher than in the dry season. In terms of silage quality, pH ranged from 4 to 5, NDF ranged from 55-70%, and lignin content was low. Mombasa Guinea grass produced high fresh and dry weights in both seasons, with high NDF and low ash content. Mulato II had the highest protein content in the dry season, whereas Mombasa and Moon River Guinea grasses had the lowest protein content in the dry season but showed an increasing trend in the rainy season. In contrast, Mulato II's protein content decreased in the rainy season but remained higher than that of other grass species. All seven grass silages exhibited similar physical characteristics.