Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the nutritive value of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) silages with the addition of 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% dehydrated mango (Mangifera indica, L.) by-product (DMB), on the fresh matter basis. A randomized complete design with four replications was used. As experimental silos, 210L plastic drums were used. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose (HCEL), ether extract (EE), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN, % total N), acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN, % total N), pH values, ammoniacal nitrogen (% total N), lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid and propionic acid levels were determined. The DM, OM, CP, EE, NFC, NDIN, lactic acid and propionic acid levels increased with the DMB addition while the NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, N-NH3/ammoniacal nitrogen levels and the pH values decreased with the DMB addition. The addition of DMB had a quadratic effect on the acetic and butyric acid levels but there was no effect with the addition of DMB on TC and ADIN. The DMB can be used at the ensiling of the elephant grass, because the addition of 8.6% improves the silages fermentative process. However, these silages have low crude protein levels and high contents of ether extract and nitrogen compounds mixed with the fiber (NDIN and ADIN) in the silages, that may damage their use by animals.
Highlights
The seasonality of forage production is characterized by a drought period in which the forage material is not Producers have increased silage use because livestock need to be competitive, with reduced costs and increased productivity
The Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), NDIN, lactic acid and propionic acid levels increased with the DMB addition while the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, N-NH3/ammoniacal nitrogen levels and the pH values decreased with the DMB addition
These silages have low crude protein levels and high contents of ether extract and nitrogen compounds mixed with the fiber (NDIN and ADIN) in the silages, that may damage their use by animals
Summary
The seasonality of forage production is characterized by a drought period in which the forage material is not Producers have increased silage use because livestock need to be competitive, with reduced costs and increased productivity. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) is very suitable for ensilage, mainly due to high productivity which is, according to Moura (1992) and Faria (1994), 80 t DM/ha × year, when well managed. Ensilage is recommended when there is high productivity per area and good nutritional value, which, according to Lavezzo (1985) and Patel et al (1967) occurs when elephant grass is harvested after 50 to 60 days of re-growth. This grass presents, as a limiting factor, dry matter low content, around 18 to 20%. The dry matter content is a decisive factor in obtaining silages with a good fermentation pattern where, according to Mccullough (1977), the ideal contents should from 28 to 34% DM
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