Supplementary forage: effect of wilting and addition of microbial inoculant and common salt on ensilage of elephant grass cv. Napier, Roxo and Paraíso

• Grant number: 11/21929-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Pastures and Forage Crops
• Principal Investigator: Hamilton Caetano
• Grantee: Kayo José Garcia de Almeida Castilho Neto
• 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 effects of wilting and addition of chemistry additive (common salt) and microbial in ensilage of elephant grass. 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.]. 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 addictive, 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.