Microbial and fermentation profiles, losses and chemical composition of silages of buffel grass harvested at different cutting heights

Abstract

-The present study evaluated the microbial population, fermentation profile, losses and dry matter recovery, and chemical composition of silages of buffel grass at different cutting heights. To evaluate the microbial fermentation dynamics, the treatments resulted from a 4 × 5 factorial combination consisting of 4 cutting heights and 5 fermentation periods, in a completely randomized design with three replications. The fermentation was evaluated at the end of 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days. The other characteristics of silages with 30 days were evaluated following a completely randomized design with four treatments, consisting of 4 cutting heights (30, 40, 50 and 60 cm), and five replications. Fermentation period and cutting height effects and interaction between both factors were observed on the populations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), enterobacteria and molds and yeasts. The peak of development of LAB populations was observed on the seventh day of fermentation for the heights of 40 and 50 cm, with 8.25 and 8.30 log cfu/g, respectively. The pH values of silages ranged with different cutting heights, in which at the height of 50 cm the decrease was most pronounced. However, the pH values were similar between the cutting heights at the end of 30 days of fermentation. Quadratic relationship was observed between lactic acid concentrations and cutting heights. The crude protein content behaved linearly, initially showing 128.5 g/kg DM at 30 cm, decreasing as the cutting heights increased. The neutral detergent fiber and ether extract contents increased linearly with the cutting heights. Based on microbial populations, fermentation, losses and chemical composition, it is recommended to harvest buffel grass for silage from 50 cm on.

Characterization of Tifton 85 bermudagrass haylage with different layers of polyethylene film and storage time

“…However, tropical forages present unfavorable intrinsic characteristics in the stages of growth in which they present good nutritional value [ 2 ], putting the conservation process at risk due to the occurrence of undesirable secondary fermentations. Optionally, to circumvent low DM content, pre-drying or wilting of the material to be ensiled provides an excellent technological alternative for improving the fermentation pattern of the tropical forage haylages.…”

Elephant grass silages with or without wilting, with cassava meal in silage production

“…Among the non-grain grasses used in silage production, the elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) stands out as a forage with an excellent potential for dry matter production (DM) (54 tons /MS/ hectare) and with a high amount of soluble carbohydrates (4.1-13.8 % in DM) ) when compared to Panicum (2.8-3.8 %), Brachiaria (3.1-4.5 %), and Cenchrus (2.3-3.1 %) - (PINHO et al, 2013, RIGUEIRA et al, 2013. Although it has a high content of soluble carbohydrates, the use of elephant grass for silage production is limited due to the high moisture content (16-20 %) and high buffer capacity of this grass (ZANINE et al, 2010).…”

Haylage: A Forage Conservation Alternative

“…The main haylage fermentations are listed in Table 2. Ammoniacal nitrogen (NH 3 ) can be influenced by the crude protein contents present in the forages at the time of cutting, since this variable is expressed as total nitrogen concentration (PINHO et al al., 2013). The minimum value recommended for this variable, according to McDonald et al (1991) is 10%.…”