Intake, nutrients digestibility and nitrogen balance of elephant grass silages with mango by-product addition

Margareth Maria Teles Rêgo,Raimundo Nonato Braga Lôbo,Arnaud Azevêdo Alves,José Neuman Miranda Neiva,Magno José Duarte Cândido,Aníbal Coutinho Do Rêgo

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982010000100010

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of elephant grass silages with increasing levels of dried mango by-product (DMB). Five addition levels were studied (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%) using 20 rams, in a randomized complete design with five treatments (addition levels) and four replications. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) intake and digestibility were evaluated, as well as the total digestible nutrients (TDN) and the silage nitrogen balance (NB). Mango by-product addition did not influence the DM, CP and TC intakes, the TDN level or the OM, CT and NFC digestibilities. On the other hand, DMB addition reduced the NDF and the ADF intakes, as well as the DM, CP, NDF and ADF digestibilities, and the NB of the silages. There was also a increasing linear effect of DMB addition on the EE and NFC intakes, and on EE digestibility. The elephant grass silage with DMB by-product may not be used as a single feed to ruminants because it reduces the NDF and the ADF intakes and the DM, CP, NDF and ADF digestibilities, as well as the nitrogen balance.

Highlights

Forage conservation in the form of silage has been used traditionally by producers as a way of meeting foodstuff demand, especially in the dry period of the year (Vilela et al, 2002)
The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of elephant grass silages with increasing levels of dried mango by-product (DMB)
The elephant grass silage with DMB by-product may not be used as a single feed to ruminants because it reduces the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the acid detergent fiber (ADF) intakes and the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), NDF and ADF digestibilities, as well as the nitrogen balance

Summary

Introduction

Forage conservation in the form of silage has been used traditionally by producers as a way of meeting foodstuff demand, especially in the dry period of the year (Vilela et al, 2002). To produce good quality elephant grass silage, techniques are needed at ensilage, such as wilting and using additives to raise the dry matter content, improve the fermentation process, prevent secondary fermentations, improve lactic acid production and raise the nutritive value (Vilela & Carneiro, 2002). Various agroindustrial by-products have been used as elephant grass silage additives, such as orange pulp, that promoted better fermentation and raised the nutritive value of the silage (Faria et al, 1972); passion fruit by-product, that in addition to improving the fermentation process, increased the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake and digestibility (Reis et al, 2000); pineapple by-product, that improved DM intake (Ferreira et al, 2009); coffee hulls, that increased the DM contents but increased the NDF and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (NIDA) and reduced DM digestibility (Bernardino et al, 2005). After industrialization to manufacture pulps and juices, generates several by-products (skins, stones and scrap fruits) that can be used in animal feeding or as additives to elephant grass silage. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritive values of elephant grass silages containing increasing levels of by-product from processing dried mango

Objectives

Methods

Results