ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to determine the effect of laurel (Laurel nobilis L.) leaves at different levels on chemical composition, some fermentation characteristics, dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility and relative feed value of sugar beet leaves silages. Laurel leaves were added to sugar beet leaves at the levels of 0 % (control), 1, 2 and 4 with four replicates. After 75 days, jars were opened. By adding laurel leaves to sugar beet leaves silages, dry matter (P<0.001), NDF (P<0.05) and ADF (P<0.05) contents increased, and the crude ash (P<0.001) and crude protein (P<0.05) contents decreased. The differences in pH, propionic acid, butyric acid contents were not found significant (P>0.05). Ammonia nitrogen and acetic acid content could not be determined in experiment silages. Dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility and relative feed value decreased with laurel leaves supplement (P> 0.05). It has been determined that the laurel leaves have a positive effect on sugar beet leaves silage, especially its chemical composition
Key Word:Sugar beet leaves; laurel leaves; fermentation; silage; volatile fatty acids
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