Ruminal degradability of high moisture triticale (X. Triticosecale Wittmack) silage with chemical and biological additives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ruminal degradability of dry matter and crude protein of high moisture triticale silage ensiled with different chemical and biological additives. Urea, sodium benzoate and an enzyme-bacterial inoculant were used as treatments. Four samples from each treatment were incubated in rumen on four sheep. Effective degradability was estimated for ruminal passage rate of 2%, 5% and 8% hour-1. Bayesian procedures were used to estimate potential degradation parameters in situ. The high moisture triticale silage with urea showed highest value for the soluble fraction (70.46%) and the best effective dry matter degradability, with a passing rate of 2% h-1 (90.63%), of control silage at other rates of passage. In relation to control silage, the addition of sodium benzoate and enzyme-bacterial inoculant decreased the effective degradability of dry matter, regardless of rate passage evaluated. Due to high solubility of urea, the silage added with this additive had the highest soluble fraction of crude protein (76.42%). The addition of enzyme-bacterial inoculant accelerated the ruminal passage rate of dry matter and protein to 0.26 and 0.20% h-1, respectively, providing less potential degradability of both in relation to other silages. As enzyme-bacterial inoculation reduces rumen degradability of crude protein, it tends to increase the availability of amino acids for intestinal absorption. The addition of urea to high moisture triticale silage may be recommended for sheep feeding at a low level of consumption, as it improves the effective dry matter degradability.