Abstract

SUAREZ, R et al. Evaluation of mixed silages of Saccharum officinarum and Gliricidia sepium using additives. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2011, vol.34, n.1, pp.69-85. ISSN 0864-0394.

A trial was conducted in Trujillo, Venezuela, in order to evaluate the effect of the addition of molasses and urea in silages of burnt sugarcane tops and Gliricidia sepium, using macrobags of capacity 1,18 m³ and vacuum, by means of a 4 (type of silage) x 3 (fermentation time: 20, 40 and 60 days) factorial arrangement and five replications. The treatments were T1 (sugarcane tops, 75% plus G. sepium, 25%); T2 (T1 plus urea, 0,5%); T3 (T1 plus molasses, 4%) and T4 (T3 plus urea, 0,5%). The following indicators were determined: pH, DM, CP, ammonia, soluble nitrogen, CF, nitrogen-free extract, ether extract, Ca, P and ash. There was no silage type by fermentation time interaction. With the addition of urea (T2) the highest values of pH (5,03), CP (8,27%), NH₃/Nt (18,13%) and SN/Nt (38,31%) were observed. With the addition of molasses (T3) a higher percentage of DM (35,34) and NFE (50,93) was detected, and with the two additives (T4) a lower content of EE (1,02%) was obtained. The CF, mineral and ash values did not show differences among treatments. After 40 days of fermentation a higher content of DM (44,80%) and NFE (49,72%) was observed. However, after 60 days a higher NH₃/Nt (11,17%) and SN/Nt (33,61%) ratio was obtained. By pondering the most relevant variables, it was concluded that the best quality silages were obtained when adding only molasses (4%) or when it was combined with urea (0,5%); while the quality of the preserved material was lower 60 days after being elaborated.

Keywords : Additives; Gliricidia sepium; Saccharum officinarum; silage.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )