Assessment of Nutrient Content, In vitro True Digestibility, Digestible Protein Content and In vitro Fermentation of Rice Straw Ensilaged with Artichoke Leaves

The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional value of silage prepared from rice straw and artichoke leaves.The study consisted of four treatments as follows: T1: only rice straw (RS), T2: 25% artichoke (AC) + 75% RS, T3: 50% AC + 50% RS, and T4: 75% AC + 25% RS.Each treatment group was replicated three times and ensiled for 60 days.The results of the study indicate that the T4 group had significantly lower dry matter (DM) content and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared to the other groups (P<0.05).Organic matter (OM) and ash content were significantly (P<0.05)higher in the T2 group, while crude protein (CP) was significantly (P<0.05)higher in the T4 group.In vitro true digestibility on dry matter (IVTDDM) and on an NDF (IVTDNDF) basis were significantly (P<0.05)higher in the T4 group.The T4 group exhibited a significantly lower (P<0.05)ruminal undegradable protein content and a significantly higher ruminal degradable protein content.In vitro total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) were significantly higher (P<0.002) in the T4 group, and no significant difference (P > 0.05) was among the treatment groups for ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) levels and Flieg's score.It can be concluded that rice straw silage prepared with artichoke leaves showed improved nutritional composition and in vitro parameters.