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Composition and in vitro degradation kinetics of saboya grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silage with inclusion of tropical fruits residues

Abstract:

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of mixing either passion fruit, pineapple or banana by-products with 45-day-old Guinea grass at 15% as fresh matter, prior to silaging. All products were chopped and thoroughly mixed, and then introduced in experimental micro-silos (6 replicates per treatment) for 60 days (d). After opening the micro-silos, chemical composition and in vitro dry matter, NDF and ADF degradation at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours were determined. The fruit's residues have few effects on silage composition. Effective degradability of dry matter was not different (P>0.05) between silages with pineapple peels or passion fruit rind, both showing higher values (P<0.05) than the guineas grass silage and that with banana peels. Effective degradability of NDF and ADF were higher (P<0.05) in the silage that included pineapple peels and to a lesser extent in that with passion fruit rind than in the other silages. In tropical countries, ensiling can be a viable way of preserving forages collected during the growing season and an effective method to dispose of agro-industrial residues.