17 S. Latif I. A. Qamar M. F. Khan A. Cheema D. M. Bukhari A. W. Yunus Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20152015/02/01 25 1 60-64 1018-7081 NA <p>The study aims to determine the effects of preserving&nbsp;<em>Dab</em>&nbsp;grass (<em>Desmostachya bipinnata</em>) by mixing it with maize as silage, and its digestibility in small ruminants so that the low palatable grass can be utilized. Dab grass mixed with maize (ratio 1:3) was ensiled without molasses (control), or with 2, 4, and 6% molasses. The physical and nutritional properties of the prepared silage were determined. Twelve goats of&nbsp;<em>Beetle</em>&nbsp;breed (9 -12 months age, 35 - 40 kg body weight) were randomly divided into four groups and fed on the silage treatments. The 6% molasses treatment resulted in better (<em>P</em>&lt; 0.05) physical and nutritional properties of the silage. The silage with 4% molasses had higher (<em>P</em>&lt; 0.05) digestibility of organic matter and crude protein, while the silage with 6% molasses had higher (<em>P</em>&lt; 0.05) digestibility of fiber and its fractions, compared with other treatments. The levels of lead in silage increased with increasing levels of molasses up to 53 mg/kg in the 6% molasses treatment. These results indicated that addition of molasses improved the physical and nutritional properties of silage made from maize and less palatable&nbsp;<em>Dab</em> grass. It is therefore concluded that addition of a maximum of 4% molasses may be recommended, beyond which heavy metal toxicity may occur.</p> Desmostachya bipinnata, maize, silage, digestibility Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2015-JAPS-09