Potential use of dried persimmon (Diospyros kaki) byproducts as feed sources for ruminants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and palatability of dried persimmon byproducts (persimmon peel [PP] and damaged whole persimmons [WP]) ensiled with rice straw in different mixing ratios. PP and WP were ensiled with rice straw at ratios of 3:7 (PP3R7, WP3R7), 5:5 (PP5R5, WP5R5), 7:3 (PP7R3, WP7R3), and 8:2 (PP8R2, WP8R2) for 70 d. WP3R7 had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein and lactate contents compared to the other combinations. On the other hand, PP3R7 and PP8R2 had lower concentrations of neutral and acid-detergent fibers (p < 0.05) and produced lower amounts of ammonia-N (p < 0.05). The silages were compared to rice straw silage (RS), maize silage (MS), whole-crop rye silage (WCRS), and sorghum-sudangrass silage (SSGS) during an in vitro study. The results showed that PP8R2 and WP7R3 had higher (p < 0.05) dry matter digestibility values than RS, MS, WCRS, and SSGS in a 6 h incubation period. In addition, a palatability test of the silages was conducted on Hanwoo cattle, goats, and deer, using the cafeteria method. The palatability index rate of PP7R3 was the highest (p < 0.05) for the goats and the Hanwoo cattle, whereas PP8R2 had the highest (p < 0.05) rate for the deer and the Hanwoo cattle. In conclusion, dried persimmon byproducts in the form of PP and WPs can be used as ruminant feed when ensiled with RS at ratios of 7:3 and 8:2.