Nutrient Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Brachiaria decumbens Cv. Basilisk With Different Level of Fertilizer

Abstract

This research was aimed at identifying the quality of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk including the nutrient content and digestibility of dry and organic matters planted with different level of NPK fertilizer. The in vitro method of Tilley and Terry (1963) modified by Utomo (2010) was used to analyze the samples. The fertilizer treatment were (P0) 0 kg/ha, (P1) 150 kg/ha, and (P2) 300 kg/ha. The harvested Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk was then put in an oven with 55ºC temperature and grinded to create samples to be analyzed with proximate and in vitro digestibility analysis. The analyzed variables were the grass’ chemical composition and the digestibility of dry and organic matters. The obtained data were then analyzed by using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and the difference between means was then analyzed by using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result showed that crude protein and fat was affected (P<0,05) by addition of NPK fertilizer of  Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk grass. Crude protein P0 (9.504%), P1 (9.836%) and P2 (12.032%), crude fat P0 (7.584%), P1 (9.101%) and P2 (10.867%). The digestibility of dry matters P0 (50.75%), P1 (52.77%) and P2 (53.89%) and the digestibility of organic matters P0 (46.33%), P1 (48,69%), P2 (49.95%). Dry matters, organic matters, crude fiber, the digestibility of dry matters and the digestibility of organic matters were not affected by the addition of NPK fertilizer. Based on the result, it can be concluded that the addition of NPK fertilizers 150 kg/ha and 300 kg/ha of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk grass affected the crude protein and crude fat.