Nutritional evaluation of elephant-grass silages with different levels of by-products from the cashew juice industry

Abstract

-This study was conducted to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility (AD), and degradability in situ of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) silages containing 0, 35.0, 70.0, 105.0, and 140.0 g kg -1 by-product from dried cashew apple (DCBP) (as fed basis). A completely randomized design with four replicates was adopted. For the study of degradability in situ, one adult male cattle was used in a completely randomized design with split plots. Intake and AD of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, and cellulose were evaluated, and the digestible energy (DE) and nitrogen balance (NB) of the silages were determined. The degradability in situ of DM, CP, and NDF was also determined. Addition of DCBP provided an increase in the intakes of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF. No effects of the levels of addition of DCBP were observed on the coefficients of AD of the silages. Regarding NB, positive values were only detected in the treatment with 105.0 g kg -1 DCBP. In the analysis of the degradability in situ, the incubation periods increased the rates of disappearance of DM, CP, and NDF. However, no effect of the levels of DCBP were observed on the effective degradability of DM. The by-product from dried cashew apple can be included at up to 140.0 g kg -1 in silages of elephant grass, but the high contents of acid detergent insoluble nitrogen may compromise the use and availability of nitrogen to the animals.

Fermentation losses and chemical composition in mixed silages of elephant grass and cassava peels with mango residue

“…Quadratic behavior was observed for the OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF with maximum points of 91.1%, 9.64%, 1.88%, 41.6% and 25.2% with inclusion of 14.6%, 10.7%, 8.62%, 9.11%, and 9.54% (Table 3). The maximum (P<0.05) CP content obtained in this study was higher than that recorded by Azevedo et al (2017) of 6.60% with the inclusion of 16.1% mango residue in elephant grass silage; by Rêgo et al (2010) of 6.21%, with 16.0% by-product of the mango processing and by Ferreira et al (2015) and Guerra et al (2016) 9.10% and 6.45% with the addition of 14% and 20% dehydrated cashew residue, respectively. The reduction in CP levels in elephant grass and cassava peel silages with the addition of mango residue above 11% could be related to the lower protein content of the additive.…”

“…The minimum DM content obtained in this study was close to that registered by Andrade et al (2010) of 29.7% DM, when evaluating elephant grass ensiling with 20% cocoa meal; and by Azevedo et al 2017, of 29.8% DM, using 16.1% mango residue in the elephant grass silage. However, it was superior to the elephant grass silages evaluated by Rêgo et al (2010) 27.9% DM, with the addition of 16% by-product of the mango processing; by Ferreira et al (2015) that obtained 27% DM with addition of 14% dehydrated cashew residue and by Ferrari Junior et al 2009which added 10% citrus pulp and reached 24.9% DM. Despite the reduction in NFC content with the addition of mango residue, the minimum value recorded in this study was higher than that found by Azevedo et al 2017 In relation to the DM contents with the addition of mango residue in elephant grass and cassava peels silages, the results obtained in this study were considered adequate for good fermentation.…”

Impacts of citrus pulp addition and wilting on elephant grass silage quality

“…However, dry matter contents and concentrations of soluble carbohydrates at silage time significantly impact silage quality (SANTOS et al, 2010). As tropical grasses are perennial with a high dry matter production during the rainy season, silage lends itself as a method to minimize forage shortages during the dry season using the production surplus (ALENCAR et al, 2009;FERREIRA et al, 2015).…”

“…However, despite the high nutritional value, the dry matter content, soluble carbohydrate level and buffer capacity of this species are not suitable for an efficient fermentation process (BERGAMASCHINE et al, 2006;FERREIRA et al, 2015). Citrus pulp is extremely absorbent, increasing its weight by up to 145% when in contact with moist forage, thereby preserving nutrients that would be lost by secondary fermentation or in the form of effluents (RIBEIRO et al, 2009).…”

<i>In vitro gas</i> production and degradation kinetics of elephant grass silage with dried tamarind residue

“…Thus, the use of fruit processing by-products as additives during elephant grass ensiling has increased (Ferreira et al, 2015;Guerra et al, 2016). These by-products are usually dehydrated and their usage increases the dry matter of elephant grass silage and provides greater amounts of non-fibre carbohydrates, which contribute to a more rapid drop in pH and, consequently, a better stability and quality of the silage (Rêgo et al, 2010).…”