Abstract
Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the qualitative parameters and nutritional potential of silage of arboreal cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) shoots. The experiment was carried out in a 4×2 factorial arrangement, for two silage forms (in natura or pre-dried), with four treatments, as follows: without additives (WA); with inoculant (WI); with 2% ground corn (GC); and with 2% ground corn with inoculant (GC+I). The fermentative quality and nutritional parameters of the silages were evaluated. Fermentative quality was better in the WI and GC+I silages. The dry matter content was higher in the pre-dried silage, while the crude protein contents of in natura silage were higher in the WA and WI treatments. The lowest values of neutral detergent fiber and acid-digested lignin were observed in the WI treatment, for pre-dried silage. Total digestible nutrients and total volume of gas were higher in the pre-dried silage, in the WI and GC treatments, respectively. In vitro dry matter digestibility was lower in WA silage, in both forms. Silage of arboreal cotton associated with inoculant or with inoculant with ground corn shows a better fermentation profile and improves the energy and nutritional values, both in natura and pre-dried forms; however, in natura silage is less laborious for rural producers.
Highlights
The ruminant production in the Northeastern Brazil is an important income-generating activity for the local population, that contributes to the economic and social development of the region
Among the forage alternatives for nutrient supply to meet the nutritional requirements of ruminant animals raised in this region, the use of several species of plants that have forage potential are outstanding, but their nutritional characteristics are generally not known, as is the case for arboreal cotton [Gossypium hirsutum var. marie-galante (G.Watt) J.B.Hutch.]
The pH values in natura and pre-dried silage were smaller in the with inoculant (WI) and ground corn (GC)+I treatments (Table 1)
Summary
The ruminant production in the Northeastern Brazil is an important income-generating activity for the local population, that contributes to the economic and social development of the region. The livestock activity present in this region faces some obstacles because the availability and quality of forage resources are affected by rainfall scarcity and irregularities of rainfall, high annual evaporation, and shallow soils with low moisture retention capacity (Silva et al, 2014). In this scenario, research should be directed to alternative foods that are adapted to its environmental conditions. This plant has a high level of genetic diversity in this region (Menezes et al, 2017). In years of intense droughts, after the harvesting of feathers, the use of plant leaves in the diets contributes to the nutritional supplementation to feed cattle (Menezes et al, 2015, 2017)
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