Chemical composition of BRS Capiaçu elephant grass silage with cornmeal inclusion

Abstract

The low dry matter content of forages (elephant grass) cv. BRS Capiaçu is one of the main factors responsible for the production of low nutritional value silage, the use of absorbent additives alleviates this problem. The objective was to evaluate fermentative losses and the quality of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) silage cv. BRS Capiaçu with different levels of cornmeal, with treatments (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of corn. The analyzes were made at the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of the Federal Institute Sudeste Minas Gerais – Campus Rio Pomba, such as pH assessment, determination of nutritional values (ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein). All analyzes that were made using specific scientific methodologies. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, with subsequent regression analysis and the means of each treatment will be evaluated using the Tukey test with 5% probability. The statistical analysis was carried out through the R Core Team Program with the aid of the technological package ExpDes.pt. There was a linear effect (P <0.05) of the addition of cornmeal on the dry matter content of the silage, (MS), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (FDA). There were no differences (P> 0.05) with the addition of cornmeal for crude protein and ether extract. The use of cornmeal decreased gas losses, losses from effluents and significant dry matter recovery (P <0.05). The use of increasing levels of cornmeal reduced fermentative losses and, consequently, improved the nutritional value of elephant grass silage. The inclusion of more than 10% of cornmeal is indicated.