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Pastos y Forrajes

Print version ISSN 0864-0394

Abstract

ALPIZAR, A et al. Effect of the inclusion of different mulberry (Morus alba) levels on the nutritional quality of sorghum (Sorghum almum) silages. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2014, vol.37, n.1, pp. 55-60. ISSN 0864-0394.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of different mulberry (Morus alba) levels on the nutritional quality of sorghum (Sorghum almum) silages. Five sorghum:mulberry ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) were evaluated, with a completely randomized design and three replications per treatment. The mixtures were made on fresh basis and they were placed in 120-L plastic tanks. Compaction was performed in 20-cm layers, tamping the materials down with the feet, and molasses was added at a rate of 4 % of the weight of the green material. The silages were stored during 40 days. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose and ash were determined before and after conservation. With the increase of the mulberry percentage the DM, CP and ash contents increased significantly (p < 0,05). The NDF, ADF and hemicellulose tended to increase after conservation. The pH values of the mixtures 100:0 (3,81), 75:25 (3,91) and 50:50 (3,89) had significant differences (p < 0,01) with regards to 75:25 (4,05) and 0:100 (4,08). The organoleptic evaluation showed an adequate conservation process in all the mixtures. The inclusion of 50 % mulberry is concluded to constitute a viable alternative to improve the nutritional quality of the sorghum silage.

Keywords : animal feeding; chemical composition; silos.

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