Phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides L. Urb) and guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) were harvested at 43, 65 and 79 days after sowing and ensiled into 2.0 litre laboratory silos, respectively. About 100 days after ensiling these silos were opened and fermentation quality of the silages was analyzed. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The content of DM increased and buffering capacity tended to decrease in both species as they matured, and the DM content was higher and the buffering capacity was lower in guineagrass than in phasey bean. Cell wall constituents (CWC) increased with growth in both species, and the contents (CWC) in phasey bean were lower compared with guineagrass at all the cutting days. 2. The fermentation quality of silage made from forages harvested at 65 days was the best in both species. All the guineagrass silages contained high levels of acetic acid with pH values above 4.5, which shows an acetate type characteristic of silage made from tropical herbage species. On the other hand, phasey bean silages contained high levels of lactic acid with pH values below 4.5, showing a lactate type good quality silage. It is suggested that the difference in the type of fermentation between phasey bean and guineagrass may be associated with the difference in the amount of cell wall constituents.
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