Elephant Grass Silage Research Articles

Total mixed ration silages based on elephant grass with the addition of agro-industrial byproducts

The present study aimed to evaluate the fermentative profile and losses in total mixed ration silages based on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) with the addition of agro-industrial byproducts. The experiment was conducted at Campus II, CCA/UFPB, Areia – PB, in a completely randomized design with six repetitions per treatment, totaling 30 experimental units. The agro-industrial byproducts used were pineapple residues, passion fruit peel, sisal mucilage, refinazil, corn bran, soybean meal, and cottonseed cake. Elephant grass constituted the basal forage of the diet. The treatments were as follows: T1: elephant grass + cottonseed cake + refinazil; T2: elephant grass + cottonseed cake + refinazil + pineapple residues; T3: elephant grass + cottonseed cake + refinazil + passion fruit peel; T4: elephant grass + cottonseed cake + refinazil + sisal mucilage; T5: elephant grass + corn bran + soybean meal. The silos remained closed for 68 days. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey's test, with a 5% significance level. The dry matter content of the silages varied from 32 to 44%. Regarding pH, treatments T2, T4, and T5 presented values above 4.5, while the others remained within the ideal range. No significant differences were observed between treatments regarding lactic acid bacteria (LAB) at the opening of the silages. The elephant grass silages including cottonseed cake and refinazil (T1 and T2) showed promise, with moderate losses and satisfactory presence of lactic acid bacteria. On the other hand, treatments that included passion fruit peel (T3) and sisal mucilage (T4) presented unfavorable conditions, with higher losses and significant presence of mold-forming microorganisms. Notably, the treatment with corn bran and soybean meal (T5) demonstrated adequate fermentation, with a significant increase in lactic acid bacteria, suggesting it to be a viable option for the production of elephant grass silage.

Improvements in fermentation and nutritive quality of elephant grass [Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone] silages: a review.

Elephant grass [Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. syn. Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone], also known as Napier grass and King grass, includes varieties Taiwán, Gigante, Merkerón, Maralfalfa, and others. The grass achieves high biomass production in tropical-subtropical, temperate, and arid areas. The high-water concentration of elephant grass suggests that ensiling could offer an alternative way to preserve the nutritional quality of the grass during storage, however, some considerations should be addressed because of the particularities of the grass. Ensiling elephant grass may produce adequate fermentation but could suffer effluent losses and subsequent losses of nutrients due to leaching. To improve fermentation and nutrient characteristics of elephant grass silages, several studies were conducted with the inclusion of additives. Lactic acid bacteria inocula have reduced pH and increased crude protein content of elephant grass silage, but aerobic stability of silages could be affected by the bacterial inoculation. There is limited information, however, on the potential of different silage inoculants to reduce growth of spoilage microorganisms during the aerobic phase of silage prepared with elephant grass. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes also may improve elephant grass silage quality by enhancing microbial fiber-degradation with subsequent increase in lactic acid and its associated pH reduction. Another study approach to improve fermentation and nutritional quality of elephant grass silages involved the addition of different feeds at ensiling, including conventional feeds such corn, wheat, rice bran, and molasses or alternative feeds such as different dehydrated by-products obtained from the food industries of juice and jelly. In the manuscript, the presented scientific information shows the great potential of the different manipulations to improve the quality of elephant grass silages and with possible enhance of the economic profit and sustainability of livestock farming in the tropical areas.

Perfil fermentativo, calidad nutricional y estabilidad aerobia de ensilajes mezclados de hierba elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) y maní forrajero (Arachis pintoi)

Objective. Determine the fermentative profile, proximate composition, and aerobic stability of mixed silages of elephant grass combined with levels of forage peanut. Materials and methods. Different levels of forage peanut (0.0, 20.0, 40.0, 60.0, and 80.0% on FM basis) were added to elephant grass silages. A completely randomized design was adopted, with 5 treatments and 3 repetitions, totaling 15 experimental silos that were opened after 30 days of sealing. Fermentative profile, proximate composition, and aerobic stability were evaluated. Results. The increase in the forage peanut levels in the elephant grass silages promoted a increasing on porosity, permeability, density, and pH (p<0.001). A 0.58 reduction in Flieg index for every 1% forage peanut added to the elephant grass silage was observed (p<0.001). The sum of the silage temperature difference compared to the environment (p=0.032) and aerobic stability (p<0.001) showed a quadratic effect. The forage peanut inclusion in elephant grass silages reduced the dry matter, organic matter, neutral and acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, and total carbohydrates (p<0.05) and increased the mineral matter, crude protein, lignin, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients (p<0.05). Conclusions. Under the experimental conditions, recommend the inclusion of up to 40% forage peanut combined with elephant grass to compose mixed silages, due to the better fermentative dynamic, nutritional profile, and aerobic stability.

Influence of Ensiling Time and Elephant Grass Silage Alkaline Pretreatment in Anaerobic Co-digestion with Vinasse for Methane Production

Influence of Ensiling Time and Elephant Grass Silage Alkaline Pretreatment in Anaerobic Co-digestion with Vinasse for Methane Production

The physical quality of elephant grass silage with tannin extract from coffee husk

Forage is a major feed that determines the success of livestock farming, especially ruminants. The silage is one technique to preserve forage to maintain the availability of forage all year. Microbes have an important role in the silage process, microbes can break down nutrient components of silage, including protein. Protein is one of the primary nutrients for animals, tannin compound of coffee husk can be used to maintain protein compounds in the silage. Tannin is a bioactive compound from the extract of coffee husk that is non-toxic, organic, and classified as polyphenols. This research purpose was to know the effect of adding an additive of tannin coffee husk on the physical quality of elephant grass silage. The research was analyzed using a T-Test design with 2 treatments and 5 replications (T0: elephant grass + 2% molasses; T1: elephant grass + 2% molasses + coffee husk tannin). The results indicated that no significant difference in the added tannin extract on the final and initial pH value and organoleptic characteristics of elephant grass silage. The conclusion of the research was the tannin extract of coffee husk can maintain the protein content of elephant grass silage in the ensilage process.

Perfil fermentativo, valor nutricional e estabilidade aeróbia de silagens mistas de capim-elefante e cunhã

Abstract The aim was to evaluate the effect of butterfly pea inclusion on the fermentation dynamics, nutritional quality and aerobic stability of mixed elephant grass silages. Butterfly pea levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80% on a natural matter basis) were added to elephant grass silages. A completely randomized design was adopted, with 5 treatments and 3 replications, totaling 15 experimental silos, which were opened after 30 days of fermentation. The inclusion of butterfly pea in elephant grass silages resulted in a quadratic effect for permeability, density, maximum pH, final pH, time to reach maximum temperature and aerobic stability (P<0.05). Butterfly pea inclusion levels increased dry matter recovery, pH, dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein and total digestible nutrients (P<0.001) and reduced gas and effluent losses, mineral matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and total carbohydrates (P<0.001). Inclusions of 40, 60 and 80% of butterfly pea provided temperature increases at 10, 20, 30 and 40 hours. The inclusion of butterfly pea with levels of up to 80% reduces fermentation losses, allows for a nutritional increase and increase in aerobic stability of silages.

Providing Ration of Corn Straw Silage and Elephant Grass Silage on the Performance of Etawa Crossbreed Goats

Providing Ration of Corn Straw Silage and Elephant Grass Silage on the Performance of Etawa Crossbreed Goats

Potential use of vitiviniculture waste in mixed cactus pear silages with elephant grass in lamb diet

The aim was to evaluate intake, digestibility, water balance, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior, performance, and carcass traits of lambs on diets containing levels of vitiviniculture waste in mixed cactus pear silages with elephant grass. Twenty-four crossbred male lambs (150 days of age, 20.75 kg ± 1.33 kg body weight) were assigned to a randomized block design, with four treatments (diets) and six animals per treatment. The experimental diets consisted of four elephant grass mixed silages (MS), containing different levels of cactus pear and vitiviniculture waste: MS1 – 255 g/kg cactus pear and 108 g/kg vitiviniculture waste; MS2 – 216 g/kg cactus pear and 144 g/kg vitiviniculture waste; MS3 – 180 g/kg cactus pear and 180 g/kg vitiviniculture waste; MS4 – 144 g/kg cactus pear and 216 g/kg vitiviniculture waste, on a dry matter basis (DM). The experiment lasted 86 days, preceded by 20 days of adaptation. The inclusion of vitiviniculture waste in silages resulted in a quadratic effect for intakes of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and total carbohydrates, digestibility of DM and ether extract, metabolizable water, and water balance (P < 0.05), with the highest values of intake and digestibility observed in lambs fed on MS2. The MS in diets resulted in a reduction in the carcass conformation of the lambs (P = 0.034). Under the experimental conditions, the use of up to 144 g/kg vitiviniculture waste in the composition of mixed cactus pear and elephant grass silages (MS2) in diets for confined lamb as it provides greater nutrient intake and dry matter digestibility.

Effects of Achatina fulica mucus as antimicrobial additive on chemical compositions, fermentation quality, and in vitro digestibility of elephant grass silage

This study was purposed to evaluate the utilization of Achatina fulica mucus as an antimicrobial to increase the quality of elephant grass silage. Total of 100 mL of achatina mucus (AM) was isolated from 20 heads of Achatina fulica using electric shock method. The AM contained 3,07 mg/5 mL of total protein. The 45 d old of elephant grass was harvested, wilted, and then chopped at 3-5 cm. Chopped grass was ensiled into 4 kg mini-silo for 21 d with different silage additives in triplicate, consisting of: without additives (P0); with 1% of AM (P1); and with combination of AM and microbial complex inoculant at 1:1 ratio. The compositions of elephant grass silage were not affected by the application of additives. The P2 silage resulted in the lowest (P&lt;0.05) pH and yeast count. Both P1 and P2 silages had higher (P&lt;0.05) lactate concentration than P0. Moreover, clostridia was not detected in both P1 and P2 silages. Both P1 and P2 silages had a higher (P&lt;0.05) in vitro digestibility of dry matter and organic matter than P0 silage. The present study concluded that applying AM was effective to inhibit clostridia and improve fermentation quality and digestibility in the rumen. A combination of AM and MCI was generally recommended to increase the quality and digestibility of elephant grass silage.

Prevention of Protein Degradation Using Ensiling Coffee Husk

The purpose of this research is to provide protein protective compounds during the ensiling process using local materials, namely coffee husk waste. The type of coffee used was robusta. Dry coffee husk (moisture &lt;15%) was ground using a Wiley mill (2 mm sieve). The extraction of tannins from coffee husk waste was performed by the Soxhlation method using ethanol organic solvent (70%). The research involved four treatments and five replications, namely P0= elephant grass silage without tannins; P1= elephant grass silage with the mixture of 3g coffee husk tannins per 1kg fresh silage; P2= elephant grass silage with the mixture of 6g coffee husk tannins per 1kg fresh silage; and P3= elephant grass silage with the mixture of 9g coffee husk tannins per 1kg fresh silage. A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed. The significantly different results were then tested using Duncan's Multiple Test (DMRT). In summary, the addition of coffee husk tannins with a dose of 9g per 1kg of fresh silage presented the best quality elephant grass silage.

Pengaruh Penambahan Molases sebagai Sumber Glukosa terhadap Karakteristik Fisiko-Kimia Silase Rumput Gajah

This study aimed to examine the molasses addition as a glucose source in the process of elephant grass silage. A completely randomized design consisting of five treatments and five replications was used in this study. The treatments were P1: elephant grass (EG) as control, P2: EG + 2.5% molasses, P3: EG + 5% molasses, P4: EG + 7.5% molasses and P5: EG + 10% molasses based on dry matter. All the treatments were ensiled for 30 days. The parameters included physical quality were aroma, mold growth, texture while the chemical quality parameters were pH, dry matter, dry matter loss, and fleigh value. The data were analyzed for variance and if there were differences between treatments, the Duncan's test was conducted at the 5% level. The results showed that 10% molasses addition had a significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on the physical and chemical qualities of elephant grass silage. The elephant grass silage had a distinctive fermented aroma, no fungi, smooth texture, no clump, and brownish-green color following the molasses color. The pH of elephant grass silage was 3.37-4.52, the silage dry matter was around 27.5%-32.5%, the dry matter loss was around 2.76%-6.73%, while the fleigh value was around 79.2-135. It could be concluded that molasses could be used as a stimulant additive to ensilage elephant grass.

Dwarf and tall elephant grass silages: intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation, and ingestive behavior in sheep.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the exclusive supply of dwarf or tall elephant grass silages, harvested at 60days of growth, without wilting or the use of additives, on intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, rumen parameters, and ingestive behavior of sheep. Eight castrated male crossbred sheep (57.6 ± 5.25kg body weight), fistulated in the rumen, were distributed in two 4 × 4 Latin squares with four treatments and eight animals per treatment and four periods. The treatments consisted of four elephant grass genotype silages (Mott, Taiwan A-146 2.37, IRI-381, or Elephant B). There was no effect of silages (P > 0.05) on dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrient intake. The dwarf-sized elephant grass silages provided higher crude protein intake (P = 0.047) and N intake (P = 0.047), while the IRI-381 genotype silage provided higher non-fibrous carbohydrate intake compared to Mott (P = 0.042), without differing from Taiwan A-146 2.37 and Elephant B silages. There were no differences (P > 0.05) among the digestibility coefficients of the evaluated silages. It was observed that silages produced with Mott and IRI-381 genotypes caused a slight decrease in ruminal pH (P = 0.013), and the propionic acid concentration was higher in the rumen fluid of the animals fed with Mott silage (P = 0.021). Therefore, dwarf or tall elephant grass silages, produced with cut genotypes at 60days of growth and without the use of additives or wilting process, can be used in sheep feeding.

Chemical-bromatological composition of elephant grass silage with increasing levels of acerola by-product

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical-bromatological composition of elephant grass (EG) silages with the addition of acerola by-product (ABP). The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments: Treatment 1 = 100% EG; Treatment 2 = 94% EG + 06% ABP; Treatment 3 = 88% EG + 12% ABP; Treatment 4 = 82% EG + 18% ABP and Treatment 5 = 76% EG + 24% ABP, with four replications (silos). EG and ABP were mixed at the time of ensiling. The silos were open at 42 days and samples were collect for chemical analysis. The addition of up to 24% of ABP in EG silage significantly (P&lt;.05) increases the pH, dry matter (DM) and crude protein levels, thus providing fermentations within desirable standards. The estimated dry matter intake, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ash and ethereal extract of EG silage was not influenced by ABP. Total digestible nutrients, total carbohydrates, hemicellulose and estimated DM digestibility decreased linearly. The high levels of NDF and acid detergent fiber of the ABP compromise the DM digestibility, reducing the nutritional value of the silages.

Fermentation losses and aerobic stability of elephant grass silages containing Parkia platycephala pod meal and urea

Fermentation losses and aerobic stability of elephant grass silages with inclusion of 4 levels of Parkia platycephala pod meal (PP) (0, 10, 20 and 30 %) and 2 levels of urea (0 and 1.5 %) on as-fed basis were evaluated. The silages were analyzed for gas and effluent losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), pH and aerobic stability (pH and temperature) to determine effects of interactions between levels of urea and PP on gas losses, dry matter recovery, temperature and pH of the silages. The combination of urea and PP increased gas losses and reduced the DMR. PP reduced effluent losses and urea increased aerobic stability of the silages. pH values decreased with inclusion of PP and increased with use of urea. Silages containing 20 and 30 % PP showed greater stability over time, especially when associated with urea. PP with urea were effective in reducing effluent losses, maintaining DMR and allowing higher aerobic stability, with stability rupture from 40 h with the inclusion of 20 % of PP in elephant grass silages.

Effects of graded levels of dietary chromium-yeast on rumen and blood metabolites, feed digestibility, and performance of goats

The study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of Chromium-yeast minerals on consumption, feed digestibility, rumen and blood metabolites, Average Daily Gain (ADG) and body condition score (BCS). The research was conducted at Gunung Tugel Farm, Banyumas, Central Java, Indonesia. The material used was 24 male Jawarandu goats with an average initial weight of 25 ± 1.23 kg, individual cages, the feed given consisted of elephant grass silage and concentrate. The treatment feed contains chromium-yeast at levels of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/kg. The research method used was experimental using a completely randomized design. There were 4 treatments tested, namely T0 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage), T1 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage + 0.5 mg/kg chromium-yeast), T2 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage + 1 mg/kg chromium-yeast) and T3 (70% concentrate + 30% elephant grass silage + 1.5 mg/kg chromium-yeast). Each treatment was repeated 6 times so there were 24 trials. The further test used is polynomial orthogonal. The variables measured in this study were feed consumption, feed digestibility, rumen metabolite products, daily body weight gain and body condition score. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the treatment had a significant effect on dry matter and organic matter consumption, feed digestibility, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and blood glucose 3 h post-feeding, chromium-yeast levels, and had a very significant effect on ADG and BCS. In conclusion, chromium-yeast supplementation was able to improve goat performance with optimal levels ranging from 1.04–1.36 mg/kg of feed.

Dynamics in fermentation quality, bacterial community, and metabolic profile during silage fermentation of late-harvested elephant grass.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of delayed harvest and storage length on fermentation products, bacterial community, and metabolic shifts of elephant grass silage. The late-harvested elephant grass (LG) was naturally fermented (NLG) for 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days, respectively. After 60-day ensiling, NLG displayed homolactic fermentation with low pH value, butyric acid, and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, and high lactic acid concentration, and ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid. Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, and Pantoea dominated the bacterial community in LG, but Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Pediococcus were the advantageous genera in a 3-day and 60-day NLG. The correlation heatmap revealed that Acetobacter was positively related to acetic acid, ethanol, ammonia nitrogen, and butyric acid concentrations. There were distinct differences in the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) metabolic profiles of fresh and ensiled LG. Ensiling suppressed the metabolism of amino acid, vitamins, and energy, while promoted the metabolism of carbohydrate. The LG can be well-fermented without additives, but its low crude protein content should not be ignored when applied in agricultural practice. The ensiling process remarkably affected the fermentation quality, bacterial community, and metabolic profiles of NLG.

Untreated or ammoniated cotton gin trash in the ensiling of elephant grass reduces silage quality

This study examined the inclusion of untreated or urea-ammoniated CGT on the chemical composition, pH, gas, and effluent losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), and aerobic stability of elephantgrass silage. The experiment was laid out in a randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement represented by three levels of inclusion of CGT during ensiling (0, 5, or 10%) and three levels of ammoniation of CGT with urea before ensiling (0, 4 or 8% for 28 days), using four replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey's test, considering a 5% significance level. The pH and DM, NDIN, ADIN, NDF and ADF contents of the silages increased (p &lt; 0.05) with the inclusion of CGT, regardless of ammoniation. The lowest (p &lt; 0.05) effluent loss was achieved using 10% of CGT ammoniated with 8% urea. In contrast, the elephantgrass silage exhibited the lowest (p &lt; 0.05) gas loss and the greatest (p &lt; 0.05) DMR. The inclusion of CGT compromised the aerobic stability of the silage. Therefore, the inclusion of CGT – either untreated or ammoniated – in the ensiling of elephantgrass is not recommended.

Removal of CO2 and H2S from biogas and enhanced compressed bio-methane gas production from swine manure and elephant grass

Anaerobic co-digestion of concentrated swine manure with elephant grass silage was used, and this study carried out in full-scale three continuously stirred tank reactors was operated at mesophilic temperature. The Biogas impurity removal procedure was enhanced by using a molecular sieve and activated carbon. Two molecular sieve tanks are used to absorb water from the biogas. An activated carbon tank (2 meters) was used to eliminate H2S to &lt; 1 ppm before entering the gas tank. In the form of compressed bio-methane gas (CBG), production was 14,400 m3/day (CH4 60-70%), and the amount of CBG was 9,600 m3/day 6.8 tons/day. The raw biogas containing CH4, CO2, and O2 are 68.8%, 29.7% and 0% with H2S 768 ppm. After the enhancement process, CBG having CH4, CO2, O2 are 89.35%, 10.05 0% and 0.02% with &lt; 0.01 ppm H2S. Therefore, after the purification process amount of CO2, H2S gas was considerably reduced and CH4 was improved by up to 90% by volume, and then the CBG was compressed to 250 bar tanks to the fuel for cars. Therefore, these results clearly demonstrate that the activated carbon method is feasible to process for the removal of CO2 and H2S from biogas in a large-scale plant.

Mineral profile, carbohydrates fractionation, nitrogen compounds and in vitro gas production of elephant grass silages associated with cactus pear

BackgroundThe high amount of soluble carbohydrates and the reduced dry matter content in cactus pear can cause excessive fermentation, resulting in nutrient losses, when it is preserved in the silage form. Thus, the association of cactus pear with elephant grass in the production of mixed silages may reduce nutritional losses during the ensiling process. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the mineral profile, carbohydrates fractionation, nitrogen compounds, and in vitro gas production of elephant grass silages associated with a cactus pear levels (0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg on dry matter basis). The study was carried out in a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments and 5 replications, totaling 20 experimental silos.ResultsThe increase in cactus pear levels in elephant grass silages composition provided an increase in the contents of K (P = 0.013), Ca (P < 0.001), Mg (P < 0.001), Na (P = 0.001), B (P = 0.044) and Zn (P = 0.016), reduced P (P = 0.039) and promoted a quadratic effect for Fe (P = 0.045) content. The addition of cactus pear levels in elephant grass silages increased the total carbohydrates (P < 0.001) and A + B1 fraction (P = 0.002) and promoted a quadratic effect for B2 fraction (P = 0.032). For nitrogen compounds, the increase in cactus pear levels in elephant grass silages composition reduced the B1 + B2 fraction (P = 0.002) and increased the C fraction (P = 0.007). There was no effect of cactus pear levels on the in vitro gas production of elephant grass silages (P > 0.05).ConclusionsUnder the experimental conditions, the addition of cactus pear in elephant grass silage at levels up to 450 g/kg dry matter does not affect the in vitro gas production, however, it improves the mineral profile, contributes to the increase in the total carbohydrate content and the A + B1 fraction in the silages. Besides this, cactus pear addition reduces the B1 + B2 protein fraction, increasing the fraction C content in the silages, suggesting the necessity to supply an additional soluble nitrogen source for good ruminal functioning.

Fermentation dynamics, nutritional quality, and heating capacity of mixed silages of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) and Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala)

Leucaena has been used to make mixed silages to obtain nutritional enrichment of the silages. Thus, the inclusion of Leucaena as an additive in mixed elephant grass silages can reduce fermentation losses, and increase the nutritional value and aerobic stability of the mixed silage without changing the fermentation profile. This study evaluated the fermentation profile, nutritional composition, and aerobic stability of elephant grass silages combined with different levels of Leucaena. A total of five inclusion levels of Leucaena (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% on a dry matter basis) were added to elephant grass silages. A completely randomized design was adopted, with 5 treatments and 3 repetitions, totaling 15 experimental silos that were opened after 30 days of sealing. Fermentation profile, chemical composition, and aerobic stability were analyzed. A descriptive analysis of temperature and pH peaks during aerobic stability was performed. The increase in the inclusion of Leucaena in the composition of silages reduced gas and effluent losses, neutral and acid detergent fiber, cellulose, lignin, total and fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients, and resulted in increased dry matter, ether extract, and crude protein. A quadratic effect of treatments was found for the temperature to reach the maximum pH (P=0.009). Aerobic stability remained constant after 40% Leucaena inclusion in the composition of elephant grass silages. The inclusion of Leucaena up to 80% in the composition of elephant grass silages reduces fermentation losses, promotes a nutritional increase, and increases the aerobic stability of the silages.