ENHANCING MAIZE STOVER SILAGE QUALITY USING MOLASSES AND UREA FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA

This study evaluates the effectiveness of molasses and urea as additives for improving the physical properties of maize stover silage to enhance livestock feed quality. The research employs an experimental design with different ensiling periods (3, 5, and 7 weeks) and assesses pH changes in maize stover treated with molasses, urea, and a control group. A 2×3 factorial arrangement laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used for the study. The study finds that molasses treatment results made the best silage quality with the lowest pH values, making it a preferable option for livestock feed preservation. The study aims to contribute to food security and sustainable agriculture in Africa. Irrigated red variety of maize stover were collected at the Department of Agricultural Education research garden, wilted or three for two days and chopped at 2-5cm. The chopped materials were added with urea as T1, molasses as T2 and without additives as T3 (Control). 24 bama bottles after thorough washing and drying were used as silos. Chopped materials were tightly packed in silos, air was removed by the use of vacuum sealer and store in the laboratory lockers at 27ᵒ to 30˚c. Silages were harvested at 3, 5 and 7weeks of preservation. pH values were taking by the use of digital pH meter. Collected data were analyzed by the use of Microsoft clustered chart. Results showed that molasses treatment made the best silage with the lowest decreasing acidic pH values of 3.07, 2.70 and 2.15 at weeks 3, 5 and 7 respectively. Control treatment at 3, 5 and 7 weeks of ensiling had the following decreasing acidic pH values; 4.71, 2.87 and 2.16 respectively, while urea treatment had the decreasing acidic pH values; 3.59, 2.87 and 2.52 at weeks 3, 5and 7 of ensiling respectively. It was concluded that, maize stover silage (MSS) at three, five and seven weeks made the best silage and is hereby recommended for preservation and use to feed livestock, especially during feed scarcity for sustainable agriculture in Africa.