The dry matter digestibility and the fermentation kinetics of three pearl millet genotypes silages (BRS-1501, NPM-1, and CMS-3) were estimated by the semi-automated in vitro gas production technique, using a completely randomized blocks design in a split plot arrangement. The genotypes means were compared by SNK test (P<0.05) and fermentation kinetics parameters estimated by regression of gas production on time using the France model. The greater cumulative gas production from 24 hours on was obtained by BRS-1501 genotype silage. The dry matter degradability (DMD) values at 96 hours of incubation were 53.9% for BRS-1501, 51.7% for NPM-1, and 49.1% for CMS-3 silage. The lowest DMD (P<0.05) among the studied genotypes silages was observed for CMS-3 silage. The maximum potential of gas production ranged from 145.18ml/g of dry matter for CMS-3 genotype silage to 155.02ml/g of dry matter for BRS-1501 silage. The BRS-1501 genotype silage showed the highest potential of gas production and effective degradabilities.
pearl millet; ruminant; silage; semi-automated in vitro gas production technique; nutritional value
