Produção de efluente de silagens de capim-marandu contendo polpa cítrica peletizada

Abstract

Losses through effluent are mainly associated with forage high moisture rates that can be avoided through the use of absorbent additives at silage. This assay quantifies losses by effluent production and analyzes the potentiality of pelletized citric pulp (PCP) to reduce its production. Marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst ex. A. Rich) Stapf cv. Marandu) harvested at the 58th day of growth was employed at silage. Forage was compacted to reach a density of 900 kg m–3 in experimental PVC silos. Treatments comprised three PCP concentrations (0, 5 and 10%, based on natural matter) and five periods in which the effluent was collected. Experimental design was totally randomized, with four repetitions, in split-plots. Treatments were the factors of the plots and time was the factor attributed to the split-plot. High moisture contents of forage provided great quantities of effluents, especially during the first two days of silage. PCP decreased effluent production significantly and was efficient in reducing losses. In this study, the equations used to estimate the amount of effluent produced were not adequate. Great compaction effects were evidenced with regard to losses, which occurred during fermentation.