Elephant grass cv. Napier, Roxo and Paraíso: effect of fertilization on the production and chemical composition and evaluation of chemical additive (common salt) and microbial inocculant on ensilage

• Grant number: 12/03613-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Pastures and Forage Crops
• Principal Investigator: Hamilton Caetano
• Grantee: Hamilton Caetano
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMVA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study will be evaluate the elephant grass under cutting (effect of phosphate, nitrogen and potassium in the production of mass and chemical composition), as well as their silage with different treatments (wilting and addition of microbial additive and common salt). Will be evaluated the elephant grass cultivars Napier and Roxo and the elephant grass Paraiso, inter-specific hybrid resulted of crossing of elephant grass with millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.]. In experiment 1, each forage will be evaluated in experimental design of randomized blocks in factorial scheme 2 x 7, two levels of phosphorus (0 and 60 kg P2O5) and seven levels of nitrogen exclusive or associated with potassium (0, 100, 200 and 400 kg N, 100/100, 200/200 and 400/400 N/K2O kg/ha) with three replicates. Will be determined dry matter production throughout the year into two periods evaluation (summer and winter) and its chemical composition (crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber). In experiment 2 (silage), the experimental design utilized will be entirely randomized, in factorial scheme 3 x 2 x 6, with three repetition. The factors are three grasses (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Napier, Roxo and Paraiso), two cutting ages (6 and 12 weeks of growth) and six treatments (control, wilting, microbial additive, addition of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of common salt).. In the fresh sample (at the moment of the ensilage and opening of silo) will be determined the content of soluble carbohydrates. The buffering capacity will be determined for collected sample in the moment of ensilage. The total losses of dry matter, as well as the gaseous losses and the production of effluent will be determined for ensilage process. After opening the silos will be evaluated the aerobic stability and will be determined the total losses of dry matter. In the sample of cellular juice of silage will be determined the pH, concentration of lactic acid, acetic, propionic and butyric and content of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). The chemical composition of the silage will also be determined (crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber). (AU)