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

This study evaluated the best level of inclusion of licuri cake (Syagrus coronata) in massai grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silage by chemical composition and fermentation quality of the silage. The experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of Federal University of Bahia. The treatments were composed by massai grass cut at 40 days, chopped and added at levels 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg DM-1 of licuri cake. After mixing, the material was compressed in experimental silos, which were opened after 76 days. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and four replications. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and regression. The addition of licuri cake improve linear increase (P < 0.01) in the contents of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, total digestible nutrients, pH, NH3-N, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and forage value index in massai grass silage There was a linear reduction in the contents of ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose and cellulose (P < 0.01). There were no differences on contents non-fibrous carbohydrates (P = 0.356) and acid detergent lignin (P = 0.432). It is recommended the inclusion of licuri cake at level of 240 g kg DM-1 in massai silage, because provided the greatest chemical composition, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and forage value index.