EVALUACIÓN DE LAS CARACTERÍSTICAS DE CALIDAD Y BROMATOLÓGICAS DE ENSILADOS ELABORADOS CON RESIDUOS DE CALABAZA (Cucurbita argyrosperma)

Abstract

Pumpkin pulp shell (PPS) is an agricultural by-product with contaminating potential that can be used to ensile. The objective of this study was to determine the quality and bromatological characteristics of ensilages made with PPS, pangola grass hay, urea and two percentages of fermented molasses during 14 and 21 days. Ensilage types (2 kg) were E1 (72.5% PPS, 22.5% grass, 3% molasses and 2% urea) and E2 (72.5% PPS, 19.5% grass, 6% molasses and 2% urea). Both ensilages were fermented for 14 and 21 days. The pH was evaluated, along with dry matter (DM), lactic acid, ash (As), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and hemicellulose content. The statistical analysis was a completely randomized 2 × 2 design with ensilage types and fermentation time as factors. The pH of E2 did not vary (p > 0.05) at 14 and 21 days of fermentation, averaging 3.85. A higher production of lactic acid was quantified with E1 at 14 days, and it also presented a higher DM than E2 (p ≤ 0.05). The content of CP, NDF, ADF, As and hemicellulose did not show differences (p > 0.05) by ensilage type or fermentation times. It is concluded that PPS can be ensiled with pangola grass hay, urea and up to 6% sugarcane molasses fermented for 14 or 21 days without affecting its quality and bromatological characteristics.