Osarya, Johannes Okong'o2026-05-262026-05-261999https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7604Masters ThesesA study was conducted to investigate the potentials of water hyacinth (E. crassipes) in ruminant nutrition in Tanzania. experiment 1 Potential yield, In in vitro chemical composition, digestibility and degradability of water hyacinth were studied. In experiment 2 water hyacinth was ensiled using 10% and 20% molasses as an additive. as controls. Chemical Samples without molasses were composition, in vi tro DM ensiled and OM digestibilities, pH changes, effective degradability, 48 hours DM degradability fermentation products were studied. Experiment 3 examined the acceptability of water hyacinth silage by livestock. Degradability of botanical parts of water hyacinth was carried out using three fistulated steers. Four heifers ranging in weight from 163-227 kg were used to test acceptability of water hyacinth silage over 18 days period. In experiment 1 the biomass yield of water hyacinth during sampling was estimated at 298.61 kg DM/ha. Whole plant showed significantly (p<0.001) lower DM digestibility as compared to leaves and shoots. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference observed between leaves and shoots. Mean digestibility values obtained for leaves, shoots and whole plant were 58.15%, 57.03% and 42.32% respectively for the two stage Tn vitro digestibility. For one stage Tn vitro whole plant showed significantly (p<0.001) lower dry matter digestibilities at both hours of incubation. No significant (p>0.05) difference was observed between leaves andenWater hyacinthEicchornia crassipesRuminant nutritionTanzaniaThesis