The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of alfalfa silage with different types and levels of waste dates on the chemical composition and quality of alfalfa silage. Alfalfa hay with 65% dry matter was chopped in 3 cm size and ensiled using 3 different varieties of waste dates (Berin, Ghybani, Amobahri) in different levels 0, 6, 12 and 18%. Silages were prepared in 10 kg weight with 6 replication for every treatment into plastic bags. Chemical composition, pH, ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids, air-stability and appearance properties were measured. Data were analyzed as factorial design 3 × 4 by the MIXED procedure of SAS (P < 0.05). Results showed that DM and OM (%) of silages in all levels waste date increased (P < 0.05) and CP (%) significantly decreased (P < 0.05) than control. PH of alfalfa silages with different levels and varieties of waste dates (range of 4.13 to 4.3) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) than control (4.69). Ammonia nitrogen concentration (mg/ dl) of alfalfa silage including of all varieties waste dates decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with control. Air-stability of alfalfa silage including of waste date increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with control, and level of 18% waste date was shown the highest (P < 0.05) air-stability between different levels of waste dates. Acetic and propionic acid increased significantly (P < 0.05) and butyric acid decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in alfalfa silage including of 18% waste dates. Appearance evaluation was shown that calculated score of smell, structure and color of alfalfa silages with 12 and 18% of all varieties of waste dates was 20 (very good rank), alfalfa silage with 6% of all varieties of waste dates was 18 (good rank) and alfalfa silage without the addition of waste dates was 16 (acceptable rank). The fleing point in the alfalfa silage with waste dates was range 90.23 to 105.16, whereas in alfalfa silage without the addition of waste dates was 65.99. This study confirmed that using of 12 and 18% of waste dates when ensiling of alfalfa can improve the quality of alfalfa silage, but there was no meaningful difference between 12 and 18% levels.

Keywords