Abstract

The chemical composition, fermentation profile, microbial population and dry matter recovery were evaluated in marandu grass silages containing different levels of Stylo legume cv. Campo Grande treated or not with microbial inoculant. A 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (four levels of Stylo legume, with and without microbial inoculant) was used in a completely randomized design with four replications. The levels of Stylo legume used were 0, 10, 20 and 30% of the weight in the natural matter. The marandu grass was harvested at 70 days of regrowth and the Stylo legume at the pre-flowering stage. It was observed the effect of interaction between levels of Stylo legume and microbial inoculant on dry matter content, effluent losses, dry matter recovery and yeast and molds populations. The dry matter content of the silages with and without inoculant increased (P < 0.05) linearly with the addition of Stylo legume. A linear decreasing effect was observed for neutral detergent fiber contents and a linear crescent effect for the crude protein contents of the silages with addition of Stylo legume. The pH values had a quadratic effect with addition of Stylo legume, with a maximum value of 4.16 in the inclusion of 12.25% of Stylo legume. The LAB population increased linearly with an increase in the levels of Stylo legume. The dry matter recovery increased linearly with the addition of Stylo legume, in the silages without inoculant. It is concluded that the consortium of marandu grass with Stylo legume improves the chemical composition, fermentation profile, and decrease the dry matter losses of the silages, regardless of the use of microbial inoculant.

Highlights

  • Despite the large territory Brazilian pasture, it has been observed decrease in productivity, mainly caused by reduced soil fertility

  • Among the advantages of the consortium of grasses with legumes we can highlight the increase of nutritional value of the diet, improvement in animal production and the indirect effects related to the nitrogen contribution to the pasture ecosystem

  • For the determination of the ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3), 200 mL of a 2 N H2SO4 solution were added to 25 g of silage that had been stored in a refrigerator for 48 hours

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Summary

Introduction

Despite the large territory Brazilian pasture, it has been observed decrease in productivity, mainly caused by reduced soil fertility. The lack of nutrient replacement and/or inadequate management contributed for the degradation of an expressive area of pasture. It is recognized the importance of the nitrogen fertilization as a way to contain the process of degradation of pastures and ensure their persistence, the use of this nutrient is limited due to the high cost. Among the advantages of the consortium of grasses with legumes we can highlight the increase of nutritional value of the diet, improvement in animal production and the indirect effects related to the nitrogen contribution to the pasture ecosystem. It is believed that these problems can be minimized by ensiling mixed pastures, which can improve nutritional value of the feed and minimize fermentation losses. The levels of Stylo legume used are intended to simulate intercropped pastures containing low, medium and adequate rate of the legume in the pasture

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