MACRO AND MICRO MINERALS OF ROSELLE (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) HUSKS ENSILED WITH MOLASSES AS AN ADDITIVE

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the macro and micro minerals of Hibiscus sabdariffa husks ensiled with graded levels of molasses as additive. The research was conducted at Department of Animal Health and Production Technology (AHPT), BUPoly, Hadejia, Nigeria. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) husks were collected from the Polytechnic farm after harvest in the year 2024. The husks were chopped to 2 – 3 cm and were mixed with Molasses at 0g, 5g, 10g and 15g as an additive to constitute four treatments as Trx1, Trx2, Trx3 and Trx4 in Completely Randomized Design, and each treatment was replicated three times and then ensiled for 3 weeks. The findings showed significantly differences (P<0.05) across all the assessed parameters. pH scale range from 4.00 in Trx1 to 4.85 in Trx4. Trx2 leads in Ca, Mg and Na while Trx1 leads in Fe, Mn and Zn. Those with least values were Trx4 (Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn), Trx1 (Na) and Trx3 (Fe). Therefore, addition of molasses at 5g increase the macro minerals content of the silages, at the same time decrease the micro minerals, whereas as the inclusion levels of molasses increasing (10g and 15g) the macro minerals decreasing and vice-visa. Trx2 (5g Molasses) resulted in silage with pleasant aroma, pale yellow colour, moderate pH (4.20) and high macro minerals contents. The study concluded that addition of molasses at 5g to Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) husks silage improved its macro mineral contents and recommended that farmers should add molasses at 5g for better silage.