Classification of Megathyrsus Maximus Accessions Grown in the Colombian Dry Tropical Forest by Nutritional Assessment During Contrasting Seasons

The diversity and use of tropical forages for cattle feeding are the protagonists in livestock systems. The production and nutritional quality of forages represent a strategy of continuous research in animal feeding to help mitigate the environmental impact generated by tropical livestock. The objective of this study was to classify the nutritional behavior in contrasting seasons and the relationship with agronomic traits of a collection of 129 CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical) accessions of Megathyrsus Maximus established in the Colombian dry tropics. By means of the near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technique, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were determined under rainy and dry seasons as fixed effects. We measured plant height, dry matter biomass (DMB) and flowering in field. Aspects such as plant height and DMB did not show correlation with nutritional aspects, whereas flowering was correlated with the content of structural carbohydrates. Despite genotype and precipitation affecting nutritional value, there is relative nutritional steadiness in NDF, ADF, and IVDMD between seasons for some accessions. According to the cluster analysis carried out for each season, it was evidenced that from the total collection, 51.2% of the accessions during the dry season and 19.4% of the accessions during the rainy season were classified with a better nutritional profile, thus, showing a higher number of materials with better nutritional behavior in the dry season. Both the genotypic characteristics of M. maximus and environmental conditions during contrasting seasons are factors that might influence the variability of the nutritional content, productive parameters, and flowering. Additionally, fodder material classification under Hotelling's T-squared test and Nutritional Classification Index suggests accessions that might be promising for resilient nutritional quality and adequate DMB, which proves that M. maximus could become an alternative for animal feeding and sustainable livestock production during critical dry periods in tropical agroecosystems.

Download Full-text

Varietal differences in yield and nutritional quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) accessions during 20 months after planting in Ethiopia

Tropical Grasslands - Forrajes Tropicales ◽

10.17138/tgft(9)89-96 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 89-96

Author(s):

Tessema Atumo ◽

Christopher Stephen Jones

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Varietal Differences

Feed supply in terms of quality and quantity plays an important role in livestock production and productivity. Here we report on varietal differences in yield and nutritional quality among 9 alfalfa accessions over 7 harvests following planting in Ethiopia. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 3 replications at Chano Mille, Southern Ethiopia on a sandy loam soil where mean annual rainfall is 544 mm. Days to harvesting, plant height, dry matter yield, seed yield and the concentrations of the nutritional quality parameters crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose plus in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and relative feed value (RFV) were assessed to rank the accessions. There were significant (P<0.001) differences between accessions and harvests in plant height, dry matter yield and seed yield. Accession ILRI_7323A performed best in all agro-morphological aspects. All accessions, except 1, produced forage with CP in excess of 30% and IVDMD greater than 80% with RFV greater than 150 at 50% flowering, indicating the high quality of forage produced. Further studies to assess the longevity of stands of the various accessions seem warranted along with studies in higher rainfall environments or under irrigation.

Download Full-text

Degradación microbiana in situ de tejidos foliares de gramíneas y leguminosas y su relación con indicadores de calidad nutricional

Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria ◽

10.21930/rcta.vol6_num1_art:41 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 100

Author(s):

Diego Chamorro ◽

Juan Evangelista Carulla ◽

Pablo Cuesta

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Dry Matter Degradation ◽

Leaf Tissues ◽

Dry Seasons ◽

Stylosanthes Scabra ◽

Negative Relationships

Para cuantificar la degradación in situ de tejidos vegetales y su relación con la composición química de especies forrajeras se seleccionaron láminas foliares de las gramíneas Bouteloua repens y Bothriochloa pertusa y foliolos de las leguminosas Stylosanthes scabra, Desmodium barbatum y Tephrosia cinerea. En el rumen se incubaron muestras de 10 mm de largo durante 0, 12, 24, 48 y 72 horas; para la lectura del área residual se digitalizaron ocho tejidos. A las 24 y 48 h de incubación B. pertusa presentó relaciones positivas entre la degradación de la epidermis adaxial (EA) y la FDN (R2= 90,2), entre el mesófilo y la DIVMS (R2=80,1), y entre los tejidos lentamente degradables (TLD) y la FDA (R2= 83,9); y relaciones negativas entre EA y DIVMS (R2= –73,1), los TLD con la DEF (R2= –74,3), la EA con la PC (R2= –87,6), y el esclerenquima con la DIVMS y la PC (R2= –84,3 y R2= –90,8). Después de 72 horas de incubación las mayores áreas residuales en gramíneas fueron la estructura kranz entre 34,2% y 36,5%, el mesófilo entre 20,9% y 21,4%, el xilema de 11,5% a 17,1% y la EA entre 11,8% y 13,9%; no obstante el esclerénquima se relacionó estrechamente con indicadores de calidad nutricional. Las gramíneas obtuvieron mayores porcentajes de tejidos no degradables que las leguminosas; por lo tanto, la DIVMS y la DEF fueron menores. Entre las leguminosas, S. scabra, presentó la mayor digestibilidad de los tejidos rápidamente degradables, tanto en sequía como en lluvia; en la época seca se incrementó en 134,6% la degradación de estos tejidos. Adicionalmente, en esta especie el área residual de los taninos no presentó relación directa con la degradación del mesófilo. En leguminosas la tasa y extensión de la degradación de las epidermis se incrementaron marcadamente a mayor tiempo de incubación, presentándose diferencias entre especies, situación que no exhibieron las gramíneas. En D. barbatum la degradación de la EA se asoció con la DIVMS y la DEF, explicando en 77,4% y 72,95% estos porcentajes; de igual manera se reportaron relaciones negativas entre la degradabilidad de la epidermis y los porcentajes de FDN, FDA, lignina y taninos (R2= –0,76; R2= –0,79; R2= –0,53 y R2= –0,76, respectivamente). Microbial in situ degradation of grasses and legumes leaf tissues and its realtionship with nutritional quality and precipitationA study was conducted to measure the in situ de- gradation of plant tissues and its relationship with forage chemical composition in leaves of the grasses Bouteloua repens and Bothriochloa pertusa and of the legumes Stylosanthes scabra, Desmodium barbatum and Tephrosia cinerea. Forage samples of 10 mm in length were incubated in the rumen for 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and tissue residual area was determined by reading the residual area in eight digitalized leaf samples per forage. In B. pertusa, after 24 and 48 h of incubation there were positive relations between the degradation of adaxial epidermis (AE) and the neutral detergent fiber (NDF, R2 = 90.2), between mesophyll and in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD, R2 = 80,1), and between slowly degradable tissues (SDT) and the acid detergent fiber (ADF, R2 = 83.9); and negative relationships between AE and IVDMD (R2 = -73,1), between SDT and effective dry matter degradation (EDMD, R2 = -74,3), between AE and crude protein (CP, R2 = -87,6), and between sclerenchyma and IVDMD with CP (R2 = -84,3 and R2 = -90,8, respectively). After 72 h of incubation, the greater residual areas in grasses were the Kranz structure (34.2% to 36.5%), mesophyll (20.9% to 21.4%), xylem (11.5% to 17.1%) and AE (11.8% to 13.9%). The area of sclerenchyma was related closely to indicators of nutritional quality. Overall, the grasses had greater content of non-degradable tissues than the legumes; therefore, their IVDMD and EDMD were lower. Among the legumes, S. scabra showed the greater digestibility of rapidly degradable tissues, both during the rainy and dry seasons. At the dry season, the degradation of these tissues increased by 134.6%. Additionally, in this legume, the content of tannins did not have a direct relationship with the degradation of mesophyll. The rate and extension of the degradation of epidermis in legumes, were noticeably increased with increasing length of incubation, existing differences between species, a situation which was not observed in the grasses. In D. barbatum, the degradation of the AE was positively associated with both the IVDMD and EDMD (R2 = 77,4% and 72,95%, respectively). On the other hand, the degradability of epidermis and the percentage of NDF had negative relations with ADF, lignin and tannins (R2 = -0,76; R2 = -0,79; R2 = -0,53 and R2 = -0,76, respectively).

Download Full-text

Nutritional Quality and In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Characteristics of Silage Prepared with Lucerne, Sweet Maize Stalk, and Their Mixtures

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11121205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1205

Author(s):

Musen Wang ◽

Fujin Zhang ◽

Xinxin Zhang ◽

Ying Yun ◽

Lei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Gas Production ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Fresh Matter ◽

In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the pH, chemical composition, minerals, vitamins, and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with lucerne, sweet maize stalk (MS), and their mixtures. Freshly chopped lucerne and MS were combined in ratios of 100:0 (M0, control), 80:20 (M20), 60:40 (M40), 40:60 (M60), 20:80 (M80), and 0:100 (M100) on a fresh matter basis. Each treatment was prepared in triplicate, and a total of eighteen silos were fermented for 65 days. After 65 days of fermentation, the pH values in M0, M20, M40, M60, M80, and M100 silages were 5.47, 4.84, 4.23, 4.13, 3.79, and 3.61, respectively. As the MS proportion in the mixtures increased, silage K, Ca, P, Na, Fe, and Cu concentrations linearly decreased (p < 0.001) and so did vitamins B5 and K1 and α-tocopherol. In vitro rumen dry matter and organic matter degradability, pH, ammonia, total volatile fatty acid, and gas production linearly decreased (p < 0.01), while neutral detergent fiber concentration linearly increased (p < 0.001), with increasing proportion of MS. The in vitro dry matter and organic matter degradability rapidly decreased when the MS percentage was ≥60%. In conclusion, the M40 silage is the most suitable for livestock utilization in local forage production considering the balance of silage pH, nutritional quality, and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics.

Download Full-text

Nutritional quality of massai grass fertilized with phosphorus and nitrogen and its influence on intake and weight gain of sheep under rotational grazing on quartzipsamment soil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n3p1417 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 1427

Author(s):

Thais Valéria Souza Silva ◽

Luciano Fernandes Sousa ◽

Antônio Clementino dos Santos ◽

Ana Cristina Holanda Ferreira ◽

Rebeca Rocha Cardoso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Management Practice ◽

Block Design ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Panicum Maximum ◽

Significant Difference

The effects of phosphate and nitrogen fertilization on aspects of forage composition and ruminal fermentation were separately evaluated pre- and post-grazing, in addition to the dry matter intake and weight gain of sheep grazing Panicum maximum cv. Massai under a rotational system on Quartzipsamment soil. The aim was to evaluate the effect of fertilization with different levels of phosphorous (50 and 200 kg P2O5/ha) and nitrogen (100 and 400 kg N/ha) compared to unfertilized control soil. The experiment was conducted at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at Universidade Federal do Tocantins – UFT, in a randomized complete block design with four replicates in a factorial 2 × 2 design. The study area consisted of 32 paddocks (301 m²), each of which had previously been sown with Panicum maximum cv. Massai. The experimental area was managed under intermittent stocking with a variable stocking rate. Twenty-eight crossbreed sheep were used for grazing management. Evaluations were made before and after grazing, including forage evaluation and measurement of ruminal degradability and intake (using titanium dioxide as the external marker). Regarding the forage composition, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the control and fertilizer treatments for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, crude protein, lignin and phosphorous content. Fertilization was found to alter the nutritional quality of Panicum maximum cv. Massai grass. Among the nutritional aspects evaluated, fertilization influenced NDF, grass digestibility and dry matter intake. The forage composition of Massai grass is improved by fertilization with nitrogen at 100 kg N/ha and phosphate up to 50 kg P2O5/ha, which represents a relevant management practice for increasing quantity and quality.

Download Full-text

AGRONOMIC TRAITS EVALUATION IN IRRIGATED SORGHUM IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID

Revista Brasileira de Milho e Sorgo ◽

10.18512/rbms2020v19e1179 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 14

Author(s):

AMADEU REGITANO NETO ◽

RAFAEL DANTAS DOS SANTOS

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Plant Height ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Dry Matter Production ◽

Matter Production ◽

Green Matter ◽

Sorghum Genotypes ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Semi Arid

Green and dry matter production, along with grain yield and otheragronomic traits, were assessed in 44 sorghum genotypes. Two sets of genotypes were formed based on known plant height, aiming to evaluate green and dry matter production and grain yield, as well as to separate forage and grain sorghum genotypes. The evaluations were performed based on experiments with three replications, being one irrigated (drip system) in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, and the other rainfed, in Nossa Senhora da Glória, state of Sergipe, Brazil. Sowing dates were July 30, 2016, in Nossa Senhora da Glória; July 13, 2017, and October 24, 2018, in Petrolina; with 117 and 128 days from sowing to harvest, respectively. Expressive forage production was observed in genotypes EP-17 and SF-11, which exceeded 120 t ha-1. BRS 506 produced 108 t ha-1, while 13F03(1141572), P-294, P-288, 2502 x 467, BRS Ponta Negra, and SF-15 presented green matter production ranging from 94 to 98.5 t ha-1. Dry matter production was highly correlated with green matter production, and SF-11 had the best performance of 45.5 t ha-1. The observed plant height was more expressive for forage sorghum genotypes, being this trait highly correlated with the green and dry matter. The best grain yield performance reached 13.4 and 10.3 t ha-1, values observed for 9910032 and BRS Ponta Negra, respectively. The results demonstrate the full adaptability of sorghum to the semi-arid environment and the feasibility to produce roughage and grains under irrigation in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Download Full-text

Physically effective fiber changes nutrient levels of total mixed ration and fecal parameters in beef feedlots

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20200663 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Gabriel Santos Persiquini Cunha ◽

Moises de Aguiar Maia ◽

Luís Miguel Gonçalves Fernandes ◽

Luciana Castro Geraseev ◽

Amália Saturnino Chaves

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Starch Content ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Total Mixed Ration ◽

Nutrient Levels ◽

Penn State ◽

Fecal Ph ◽

Beef Feedlots

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effects of the physically effective fiber (peNDF) content on nutrient composition of the total mixed ration (TMR), orts and fecal parameters in 15 commercial beef feedlots. The particle size distribution of TMR was measured adopting Penn State Particle Size Separator (PSPS). Samples were evaluated for dry matter (DM), ash, ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and starch content. Fecal samples were also evaluated for pH and score. The feedlots were categorized into peNDF<20% and peNDF ≥ 20%. Data were analyzed by a model that included fixed effects of treatment and covariates (sex and genetic groups). Levels of DM, CP, EE and starch were lower in TMR with peNDF ≥ 20% (P<0.05). Fecal dry matter was higher and morning fecal pH was lower for TMR with peNDF<20% (P<0.05). Physically effective fiber changed nutrient levels in TMR, orts, fecal pH and DM. So, using PSPS and fecal parameters are practical and indirect tools for measuring fecal starch and assessing the effectiveness of the diet supplied to ruminants.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of corn-soybean inter-cropping systems in southwestern Japan

Tropical Grasslands - Forrajes Tropicales ◽

10.17138/tgft(9)307-314 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 307-314

Author(s):

Ahmad Seyar Azizi ◽

Ikuo Kobayashi ◽

Jonathan Chuuka ◽

Genki Ishigaki

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Popillia Japonica ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Soybean Plants ◽

Corn Plants

To assess the effects of inter-cropping corn and soybean under southwestern Japan’s climatic conditions, 5 different treatments were compared, namely: CW (mono-cropped corn - weeded); CTW (corn + soybean cv. Tachinagaha - weeded); CT (corn + soybean cv. Tachinagaha - unweeded); CSW (corn + soybean cv. Suzukaren - weeded); and CS (corn + soybean cv. Suzukaren - unweeded). Parameters measured were height, yield, nutrient composition of corn and soybean and the numbers of Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica). Plant height of mono-cropped corn was significantly (P<0.05) greater than that of corn in most of the inter-cropped treatments. The number of Japanese beetles had increased dramatically, especially on unweeded inter-cropped treatments, at 55 DAS (days after sowing). Fresh and dry matter yields (FMY and DMY) of corn did not differ among treatments (P>0.05), while CTW treatment produced higher FMY and DMY for soybean (P<0.05) than in CSW and CS. Weeding tended to reduce the number of Japanese beetles on soybean plants, but it did not affect yield of soybean in this study. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations in corn cobs, whole corn plants and whole soybean plants did not differ among treatments (P>0.05), while crude protein (CP) concentration in whole corn plants in CTW exceeded (P<0.05) those for mono-cropped corn and CSW treatments. These results indicated that soybean can be successfully inter-cropped with corn in southwestern Japan. Soybean plants may be infested with Japanese beetles. It is advisable to control weeds in the stands to reduce the level of beetle infestation and to minimize competition for the planted crops.

Download Full-text

Agronomic characterization of sunflower cultivars for animal feeding in tropical conditions

Bioscience Journal ◽

10.14393/bj-v37n0a2021-53618 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 37 ◽

pp. e37050

Author(s):

Saulo Almeida Sousa ◽

Vagner Maximino Leite ◽

Vanessa de Oliveira Almeida ◽

Douglas dos Santos Pina ◽

Luana Marta de Almeida Rufino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Matter Content ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Forage Production ◽

Tropical Conditions ◽

Flowering Rate ◽

Animal Feeding

This study was developed to examine morpho-agronomic traits of 18 sunflower cultivars and identify superior cultivars in terms of grain yield, forage quality, or both, for animal feeding. Twenty-two morpho-agronomic traits related to plant development and architecture; earliness of maturity; grain yield (achenes); dry matter yield; and dry matter content were evaluated. Cultivars Hélio 253, Hélio 358, Embrapa 122, BRS 321, and Hélio 360 showed inflorescence at the final stage. Aguará 4 showed the lowest flowering rate, characterizing it as late-maturing. For grain yield, cultivars Charrua, Olisun 3, BRS 321, Paraíso 103CL, Paraíso 65, Aguará 6, and CF 101 are recommended, as they showed the highest achene yields (average: 1,541.67 to 2,148.81 kg.ha−1, respectively). Cultivars Charrua, Hélio 251, Olisun 3, Hélio 360, Paraíso 55, and Paraíso 103CL exhibited higher dry matter yields (9,550.93 to 11,789.91 kg ha−1) and were thus indicated for forage production. Cultivars Charrua, Olisun 3, BRS 321, Paraíso 103CL, Paraíso 65, Aguará 6, and CF 101 are recommended for grain yield, for the diet of monogastric animals; Charrua, Hélio 251, Olisun 3, Hélio 360, Paraíso 55, and Paraíso 103CL for forage yield, for ruminant feeding; and Charrua, Olisun 3, and Paraíso 103CL for both purposes.

Download Full-text

Dry matter yield and nutritional value of Marandu grass under nitrogen fertilization and irrigation in cerrado in São Paulo

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/s1516-35982010001200006 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (12) ◽

pp. 2598-2603 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Elisângela Dupas ◽

Salatiér Buzetti ◽

André Luis Sarto ◽

Fernando Braz Tangerino Hernandez ◽

Antonio Fernando Bergamaschine

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Block Design ◽

Sprinkler Irrigation ◽

Dry Season ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Forage Production ◽

Wet Season ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber

The aim of this study was to evaluate dry matter yield and nutritional value of palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) using nitrogen doses and sprinkler irrigation in two periods of the year, aiming at reducing seasonality of forage production. It was used a randomized block design in a split-plot scheme, with five doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg/ha/cut), and the sub-plots were defined by the seasons of the year (wet and dry season), with and without irrigation. During the wet season, in the plots with and without irrigation, doses of 175 and 161 kg/ha/cut promoted the highest dry matter yields. During the dry season, 171 kg ha-1N with irrigation resulted in the highest dry matter yield. During the same season, there was no response to N fertilization in the lack of irrigation. Average contents of CP were 10% with and without irrigation. Contents of neutral detergent fiber decreased with nitrogen doses, while acid detergent fiber was not affected by fertilization. Plots under irrigation reached the maximal acid detergent fiber content at N dose of 60 kg ha-1. Irrigation promotes increase of 15% increase in dry matter yield and it increases contents of neutral detergent fiber.

Download Full-text

Chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of elephant grass silage with biodiesel industry co-products

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/s0103-84782012000400024 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 718-723

Author(s):

Eric Haydt Castello Branco van Cleef ◽

José Cleto da Silva Filho ◽

Arnaldo Prata Neiva Júnior ◽

René Maurício Patiño Pardo ◽

Aníbal Coutinho do Rêgo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Elephant Grass ◽

Physic Nut ◽

Dry Matter Digestibility ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Animal Feeding ◽

Nitrogen Contents

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of three concentrations (3, 6, and 9%) of forage turnip (Raphanus sativus) and physic nut (Jatropha curcas) cakes on dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen contents, in vitro dry matter digestibility, pH values and concentrations of N-NH3 in elephant grass silages. It was used an entirely randomized design in factorial arrangement [(2×3)+1]. Experimental PVC silos were used and ensiled material was kept for 62 days. The addition of cakes increased the dry matter contents (P<0.05). The fibrous fractions were reduced (P<0.05) with the inclusion of cakes during the grass ensilage and the CP contents increased (P<0.05). The forage turnip cake provided the same pH and N-NH3 values in ideal levels and the physic nut, added to 9%, increased those values (P<0.05). IVDMD was reduced (P<0.05) when the cakes were added. These co-products can be used in small amounts for elephant grass ensilage in order to provide improvement in chemical and fermentation characteristics of the silages. Nevertheless, physic nut cake shows limitations for its use in animal feeding due to the presence of toxic compounds, making necessary studies for their identification and elimination.

Download Full-text