Physicochemical composition and ruminal degradability of leucaena ensiled with different levels of buriti fruit peel

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate in situ degradability and physicochemical composition of leucaena silage mixed with different levels of buriti fruit peel. We used a completely randomized design with five levels of buriti fruit peel (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 g kg−1). The silos were opened after 28 days of storage. In situ degradability monitoring was conducted using a split‐plot design in which four animals represented the blocks and silage supplemented with five levels of buriti fruit peel represented the treatments. The use of the additive in leucaena silage increased dry matter (DM) (P < 0.0001), ether extract (P = 0.0068), acid detergent fiber and decreased crude protein (P < 0.0001). The pH (P = 0.0335), ammoniac nitrogen (P < 0.0001) and DM recovery (P = 0.0983) increased with level of buriti fruit peel added in the silage. Gas losses (P < 0.0001) decreased with the addition of buriti fruit peel in the ensilage. Effluent losses (P < 0.1093) were not influenced by buriti fruit peel addition. The inclusion of buriti fruit peel linearly reduced the ruminal degradability DM of soluble fraction (a) (P < 0.0001) and potentially degradable insoluble fraction (b) (P < 0.0001). Inclusion of buriti fruit peel up to 50 g kg−1 of leucaena forage provides favorable conditions for silage and contributes to pH reduction, despite reducing ruminal degradability. The degradability can be increased with the mixture of silage to a non‐protein nitrogen supplement and thus overcome this problem.

Nutritional composition and fermentative characteristics of Massai grass silage added with licuri (Syagrus coronata) cake

“…However, it is evident that the inclusion of licuri cake can increase the dry matter (DM) content of the silage and that, even at the optimal vegetative stage for grazing or cutting and despite its nutritional value; thus justifying the use of this cake as an efficient compound for moisture sequestration. Without the use of the additive, the DM content of the silage was 224 g kg -1 , which is below the level recommended in the literature (ARRIOLA et al, 2015;GANCHE et al, 2015;LOPES et al, 2015;FERREIRA et al, 2016). Dry matter content (213 g kg -1 as fed) of massai grass (Table 1) is not within the recommended range for ensiling.…”

“…One way of minimizing this problem is to add materials with great dry matter (FERREIRA et al, 2016).…”

Nutritional composition of 'Ponta Negra' forage sorghum silage enriched with dried Leucaena leucocephala forage

“…Leucaena was harvested at 50 days of age, at a height of 1 m above the soil. Woody branches measuring up to 1 cm in diameter were collected, as described by Ferreira et al (2016). After harvest, the material was milled and placed on plastic tarps to dry in the sun for 3 h.…”

“…This response is because the Leucaena plant had been dried, which prevented dry matter losses because of the less development of enterobacteria that would result in a low-quality fermentation process (EDVAN et al, 2013;FERREIRA et al, 2016). Therefore, the inclusion of the dried legume ensures good fermentation of the sorghum silage in addition to possibly improving the production performance of sheep consuming it (TJANDRAATMADJA et al, 1993).…”