Sarwatt, Sebastian V.2026-03-052026-03-051981https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7358Chopped corn stover was reconstituted, treated and ensiled in 3 ply-nylon bags placed in 10 gallon plastic drums at room temperature for 30 days. The treatments were: (1) control-corn stover + water, (2) 4% NaOH, (3) 4% NH^OH, (4) 3% NaOH + 1% NH40H, (5) 2% NaOH + 2% NH.OH, 35% manure + 65% corn stover on wet basis, (7) 35% manure 4 - (6) • ■ i + 4% NaOH by weight on DM basis. and examined for smell and color. After 30 days the bags were opened Sub-samples were collected for chemical analysis. While there was a significant Cp < 0.05) increase of crude protein and ash there was significant (p < 0.05) decrease of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. There was significant (P < 0.05) decrease of hemicellulose and cellulose with alkali treat- ment, but the differences between alkali containing samples were not I significant (p > 0.05). There was no significant (p > 0.05) changes in lignin content between the treatments. The in vitro dry matter diges­ tibility (IVDMD) was significantly (p < 0.05) improved by alkali treatments and decreased by manure inclusion. Both alkali and manure treatment significantly (p < 0.05) improved IVDMD than manure alone. Different levels of NaOH and NH^OH in combination did not have better results than any of the alkali separately. The physical fermentation characteristics indicated that fermen­ tation had taken place. The alkali treated silages had sweet "estery" iiismell and yellow color. The manure containing silage had butyric acid smell and dark brown color. Chemical fermentation parameters measured were pH, lactic acid and volatile fatty acids. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of pH of alkali and waste containing silages after ensiling. There was no significant (p > 0.05) change of pH of post- ensiled untreated silage when compared to the pre-ensiled untreated silage. Lactic acid and propionic acid showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease between the untreated and treated samples, while acetic acid and butyric acid showed significant (,p < 0.05) increase between the untreated and treated samples.enNutritivevaluealkalimanurecorn stoversilageThesis