Silagens de dieta completa contendo o capim-elefante como fonte de forragem

Abstract

From a technical point of view, the characteristics observed in Elephant grass at the moment of ensiling may be unfavorable for its conservation. The use of total mixed ration silages has been one of the main alternatives used to help wet by-products conservation in another countrys and this can also be an alternative to model the fermentation processes and reduce the frequent losses found in Elephant grass silages. Thus, the objective of this work was evaluate TMR silage containing Elephant grass silage as a source forage with different concentrate options. The treatments consisted exclusively Elephant grass silage (EG), more four combinations of Elephant grass was ensiled with the following concentrates: Corn and soybean meal (CSM); Corn of soybean meal and molasses (CSMMO); Citrus pulp and soybean meal (CPSM); Citrus pulp, soybean meal and molasses (CPSMMO). The fermentative, microbiological and nutritional characteristics of those silages were evaluated. The aerobic stability of the silages after exposure to air was alsoevaluated through of temperature and pH. The data were submitted a variance analysis and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability using the PROC GLM of the SAS statistical package. Fermentation parameters were altered by treatments (P< 0,005). Exclusive silages of Elephant grass had a higher values of N-NH3 at the moment of opening. Larger populations of lactic acid bacteria and higher concentrations of lactic acid were observed in total feed silages containing the ingredients proposed in this study. At the time of opening, silages containing CSM, and CSMMO presented higher yeasts population (P = 0,021). Exclusive silage of Elephant grass presented lower stability after exposure to air, but aerobic deterioration was more intense in total feed silages (P< 0,001). The inclusion of Elephant grass ingredients together reduced the losses of DM and effluent (P< 0,001). The chemical composition and digestibility values were also altered by the treatments. Lower values of non-protein nitrogen were observed in silages containing CPSM and CPSMMO. The use of concentrate together with Elephant grass in a balanced ration helps to reduce the losses during the fermentation process. The choice of citrus pulp in association with soybean meal or added molasses showed great efficiency in reducing nutrient losses.