Abstract
Abstract This study evaluated dry matter yield and nutritional characteristics of different oat genotypes (Avena spp.) for ensiling. Treatments consisted of genotypes of white oat IPR 126 (Avena sativa), black oat Cabocla IPR and Agrocoxilha (Avena strigosa), and BRS Madrugada and BRS Centauro (Avena vertis). Oats were harvested at the phenological stage of milk/dough grain. The design was a completely randomized block scheme, with five treatments and three replications per treatment. The IPR Cabocla genotype showed the highest dry matter content (before and after silo opening) and in vitro dry matter digestibility of fresh forage. No differences were observed for in vitro dry matter digestibility and dry matter losses among silages. The highest silage digestible dry matter yield (kg ha-1) was observed for the BRS Centauro genotype. Thus, despite the better nutritional quality presented by the IPR Cabocla genotype before ensiling, BRS Centauro genotype presented a higher yield of digestible dry matter per hectare.
Highlights
The seasonality of pasture production in Brazil is related mainly to climate factors and species used for foraging, leading to a higher forage yield during the summer season
The pH values in silages were influenced by dry matter (DM) content at harvesting
The lowest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values were found in BRS Madrugada, IPR Cabocla, and Agrocoxilha genotypes, whereas BRS Madrugada, IPR Cabocla, and BRS Centauro genotypes had the lowest values of acid detergent fiber (ADF) content
Summary
The seasonality of pasture production in Brazil is related mainly to climate factors and species used for foraging, leading to a higher forage yield during the summer season. Many farmers have adopted more intensified productive systems, increasing the need for feed in terms of quantity and quality. In this sense, ensiling becomes an interesting alternative to store feed and maintain its quality. Regardless of the availability of conventional crops for ensiling (e.g., corn, sorghum, and sugar cane), the interest for ensiling winter crops has been increasing. This strategy avoids direct competition for an area with other higher value-added crops, such as soybean or corn, as well as allows using usually idle areas during the winter in Brazil. High availability of annual winter crop species (e.g., oat, ryegrass, wheat, and triticale), along with low amount of information about ensiling these crops, makes it difficult to adopt this strategy
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