FERMENTATIVE PARAMETERS AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ELEPHANT CV. PURPLE GRASS SILAGE WITH ADDED FAVEIRA PODS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative parameters and chemical composition of elephant grass silages with the addition of faveira pods. The pods were added to the forage at levels of 8, 16 and 24% on a dry matter (DM) basis, together with the control treatment (0%), in a completely randomized design. The pH, losses through effluent and gas, dry matter recovery, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent (ADF), lignin and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) were quantified, and cellulose and hemicellulose were estimated. There was a linear increase (P<0.05) in losses through gas and a reduction in effluent production (1.17 kg/ton DM) at 24%, with pH remaining at the ideal level (3.76). Regarding the chemical composition of silage, an increase in DM and CP (6.53%) was observed at the highest levels of pod inclusion, with lower proportions of NDF (52.99%) and ADF (36.48%). However, ADIN levels increased with increasing pod levels in the silage (+ 6.81%). Faveira pods up to 24% are indicated as additives for elephant grass silage, as they improve silage quality, fermentation and chemical composition.