Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of additives and storage time on the quality and aerobic deterioration of silages of pineapple crop waste. A completely randomized design was used, in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with three treatments: pineapple waste silage without additives or with the addition of cornmeal or wheat bran (20% fresh matter) at three storage times (60, 90, and 120 days). After each storage time, losses and aerobic deterioration were quantified, chemical composition was analyzed, and digestibility assays were performed. The storage time of 120 days resulted in higher dry matter losses in all treatments. The additives incremented the dry matter contents of the pineapple-based silages, which went from 182.1 g kg−1 (control silage) to 298.7 and 297.6 g kg−1 (cornmeal and wheat bran, respectively). The control silage with the addition of cornmeal showed the highest dry matter digestibility (739.7 g kg−1) and lowest neutral detergent fiber content (251.9 g kg−1). The production of CO2 started to increase on the first day of air exposure in silages without additives, but only after six days in those with additives. Including cornmeal as an additive in the silage of pineapple crop waste improves its digestibility and reduces its deterioration speed.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de aditivos e tempos de armazenamento sobre a qualidade e a deterioração aeróbia de silagens de resíduos de cultura do abacaxi. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 3×3, com três tratamentos: silagem de resíduos culturais de abacaxi sem aditivo ou aditivada com fubá de milho ou farelo de trigo (20% da matéria fresca), em três tempos de armazenamento (60, 90 e 120 dias). Após cada tempo de armazenamento, realizaram-se quantificações de perdas e deterioração aeróbia, análises da composição química e ensaios de digestibilidade. O tempo de armazenamento por 120 dias resultou em maiores perdas de matéria seca em todos os tratamentos. Os aditivos incrementaram os teores de matéria seca das silagens à base de abacaxi, que passaram de 182,1 g kg−1 (silagem controle) para 298,7 e 297,6 g kg−1 (fubá de milho e farelo de trigo, respectivamente). A silagem controle adicionada de fubá de milho apresentou maior digestibilidade da matéria seca (739,7 g kg−1) e menor teor de fibra em detergente neutro (251,9 g kg−1). A produção de CO2 aumentou a partir do primeiro dia de exposição ao ar nas silagens não aditivadas, mas apenas a partir do sexto dia nas aditivadas. A inclusão do fubá de milho como aditivo na silagem de resíduos de abacaxi melhora sua digestibilidade e reduz sua velocidade de deterioração.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do sombreamento arbóreo sobre as características morfogênicas e estruturais dos perfilhos e acúmulo de forragem do capim-Tanganica ( Megathyrsus maximus Jacq. cv. Tanganica). Para tanto, um experimento foi conduzido, de dezembro de 2010 a março de 2012, sob delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (níveis de sombreamento) e cinco repetições. Foram avaliados: filocrono (FIL), taxas de alongamento de lâminas foliares (TAlLF) e de colmos (TAlC), número de folhas vivas por perfilho (NFVP), comprimento de lâminas foliares (CLF), comprimento de colmo (CC), densidade populacional de perfilhos (DPP), taxas de crescimento de lâminas foliares (TCLF) e de colmos (TCC), taxa de senescência (TS) e taxa de acúmulo de forragem (TAF). Exceto para TAlLF e NFVP, todas as demais varáveis morfogênicas foram influenciadas (P<0.05), de maneira positiva ou negativa pelos níveis de sombreamento. Exceto na primavera, a DPP aumentou linearmente sob maiores níveis de sombreamento (P<0.05). Em nível de perfilho, exceto na primavera, o CLF aumentou linearmente com o aumento do nível de sombreamento (P<0.05). Além disso, de maneira geral, o CC reduziu de maneira linear com o aumento do nível de sombreamento. Quanto às taxas de crescimento, o verão II e a primavera proporcionaram maiores valores, e as menores taxas foram registradas no outono (P<0.05). Os ajustes das características morfogênicas e estruturais garantiram ao capim-Tanganica ótima adaptação ao ambiente sombreado.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tree shading levels on tillers’ morphogenetic and structural traits, besides the herbage accumulation of Tanganyika grass ( Megathyrsus maximus Jacq. cv. Tanganyika). For that, an experiment was carried out from December 2010 to March 2012, under a completely randomized design, with four treatments (shading levels) and five repetitions. Phyllochron (PHY), leaf and stem elongation rates (LER and SER, respectively), number of leaves per tiller (NLT), leaf blade length (LBL), stem length (ST), tiller population density (TPD), leaf (LGR) and stem growth rates (SGR), senescence rate (SR) and herbage accumulation rate (HAR) were assessed. Excepted by the LER and NLT, the shading levels influenced the other morphogenetic variables (P<0.05), positively or negatively. Except in the spring, the TPD linearly increased because of the shading levels (P<0.05). At tiller level, except in the spring, the LBL linearly increased with the shading levels (P<0.05). In general, the SL linearly decreased with the shading levels. Regarding the growth rates, summer II and spring provided greater values, and the lowest one occurred in autumn (P<0.05). The adjustments of both morphogenetic and structural traits ensured the Tanganyika grass a great adaptation to the shaded environment.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos das inclusões de polpa cítrica peletizada e de inoculante microbiano sobre características fermentativas, fracionamento de carboidratos e proteínas, e teores de nutrientes digestíveis totais de silagem de capim 'Massai' (Megathyrsus maximus × Megathyrsus infestus). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2×4 (aplicação ou não de inoculante × 0, 10, 20 e 30% de polpa cítrica), com cinco repetições. Houve aumento da recuperação de matéria seca em função dos níveis de polpa cítrica. Os valores obtidos para pH e nitrogênio amoniacal indicaram adequado processo fermentativo. Sob níveis crescentes de polpa cítrica, houve redução dos teores de fibra insolúvel em detergente neutro e aumento do teor de carboidratos não fibrosos e proteína ligada à fibra. O teor de nutrientes digestíveis totais atinge ponto máximo de 513,1 g kg1 com a inclusão de 12,50% de polpa cítrica. O inoculante microbiano, quando isolado, não influencia os perfis de carboidratos e proteínas. Inclusões entre 10 e 20% de polpa cítrica são capazes de manter parâmetros fermentativos adequados e melhorar o perfil de nutrientes digestíveis, com adequada recuperação de matéria seca.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of pelleted citrus pulp and microbial inoculant on the fermentation characteristics, carbohydrate and protein fractionation, and total digestible nutrient contents of 'Massai' grass (Megathyrsus maximus × Megathyrsus infestus) silage. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2×4 factorial arrangement (application or not of inoculant × 0, 10, 20, and 30% citrus pulp) with five replicates. There was an increase in dry matter recovery as affected by citrus pulp levels. The values obtained for pH and ammonia nitrogen indicated an adequate fermentation process. Under increasing citrus pulp levels, there was a reduction in neutral detergent fiber and an increase in nonfibrous carbohydrate contents and in protein linked to fiber. Total digestible nutrient content reaches a peak of 513.1 g kg1 with the inclusion of 12.50% citrus pulp. The microbial inoculant, when isolated, does not influence carbohydrate and protein profiles. Inclusions between 10 and 20% citrus pulp are able to maintain adequate fermentative parameters and improve the digestible nutrient profile, with an adequate dry matter recovery.

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to investigate direct and indirect correlations of methodologies of bone quality analysis from brown egg layers, at final of the production cycle. Twelve femurs of Dekalb Brown laying hens, euthanized at 85-week-old, were assessed to evaluate breaking strength (BS), Seedor index (SI), mineral matter (MM), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents, besides cortical (CorD), medullar (MedD) and epiphysis (EpiD) diameters. Correlations and path analysis were obtained with the aid of SAS® University (p ≤ 0.05). The BS directly represented the bone quality and was compared to other methodologies. Greater linear correlations occurred between BS and MM (r = 0.82), MM and Ca (r = 0.72), and BS and Ca (r = 0.70). The MM content displayed the greatest direct effect on the BS (r = 0.53). The Ca content showed a reduced direct effect on the BS (r = 0.18), with indirect effects through MM content (r = 0.44) and EpiD (r = 0.15), however, presented a great total correlation (r = 0.78). Determination of mineral matter content is the main methodology associated with femur breaking strength from brown egg layers at final of the productive cycle. Because of that, this methodology is more reliable to determine bone quality.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o valor nutritivo de silagens de genótipos anões e altos de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum), consorciados ou não à cunhã (Clitoria ternatea). O experimento foi realizado em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 4x2 (quatro genótipos × dois sistemas de plantio). Os genótipos consorciados ou não à cunhã foram: IRI-381 e Elefante B, de porte alto; e Taiwan A-146 2.37 e Mott, anões. A forragem foi colhida após 60 dias de rebrota. Na silagem do capim Mott consorciado à cunhã, foram observados menores teores de lignina (78,1 g kg-1), fibra em detergente neutro (636,0 g kg-1) e proteína insolúvel em detergente neutro (13,15 g kg-1), além de maior recuperação da matéria seca (873,3 g kg-1). A silagem de Taiwan A-146 2.37 cultivado em consórcio com a leguminosa apresentou maior teor de proteína bruta (136,1 g kg-1). Em ambas as silagens, os teores de nitrogênio amoniacal foram bastante reduzidos (26,4 g kg-1). No entanto, maiores teores residuais de carboidratos solúveis em água foram observados nas silagens do consórcio (1,85 mg g-1) e do capim Mott em monocultivo (1,51 mg g-1). Além disso, houve menor digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (676,7 g kg-1) na silagem do consórcio. Os genótipos anões aumentam o valor nutricional da silagem de capim-elefante, comparados aos de porte alto. O consórcio com a cunhã melhora as características fermentativas da silagem, apesar de reduzir a sua digestibilidade. Portanto, a ensilagem do capim anão Mott consorciado à cunhã apresenta resultados mais promissores.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional value of silages from tall-sized and dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) genotypes, intercropped or not with butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea). The experiment was performed in randomized complete blocks, in a 4x2 factorial arrangement (four genotypes × two cropping systems). The genotypes intercropped or not with butterfly pea were: IRI-381 and Elephant B, tall sized; and Taiwan A-146 2.37 and Mott, dwarf. Forage was harvested 60 days after regrowth. In the silage from Mott grass intercropped with butterfly pea, lower contents of lignin (78.1 g kg-1), neutral detergent fiber (636.0 g kg-1), and neutral detergent insoluble protein (13.15 g kg-1), besides a greater dry matter recovery (873.3 g kg-1), were observed. The silage from Taiwan A-146 2.37 intercropped with the legume showed a greater crude protein content (136.1 g kg-1). In both silages, the ammonia nitrogen contents were quite reduced (26.4 g kg-1). However, greater residual water-soluble carbohydrate contents were observed in the silages from the intercrop (1.85 mg g-1) and from the Mott grass monocrop (1.51 mg g-1). Moreover, there was a lower in vitro dry matter digestibility (676.7 g kg-1) for the silage from the intercrop. Dwarf genotypes increase the nutritional value of elephant grass silage, compared with the tall-sized ones. Intercropping with butterfly pea improves silage fermentation characteristics, despite reducing its digestibility. Therefore, the ensilage of dwarf Mott elephant grass intercropped with butterfly pea shows more promising results.

RESUMO: O capim-elefante (pennisetum purpureum schum.) foi durante muito tempo cultivado apenas em capineiras. porém, o interesse pelo seu manejo sob pastejo vem aumentando por conta da seleção de genótipos de porte baixo, que ganhou nova relevância a partir de 1988, com o registro do capim mott. Neste sentido, genótipos de porte alto e baixo apresentam diferenças morfológicas, produtivas e qualitativas importantes, mesmo que fatores ambientais também exerçam influência sob estes aspectos. o objetivo desta revisão foi abordar como o porte do capim-elefante pode influenciar características morfofisiológicas, decisões de manejo e formas de utilização da espécie. Os aspectos morfofisiológicos e o porte do capim-elefante são importantes para direcionar sua utilização nos diferentes sistemas de produção. os resultados de pesquisa das últimas décadas sugerem que as particularidades dos genótipos de porte alto, como elevado acúmulo de forragem, reservas orgânicas e alongamento dos colmos favorecem seu manejo sob corte e sua utilização em setores industriais. já o capim-elefante de porte baixo apresenta aspectos como elevada proporção de folhas na forragem colhida, alta relação folha: colmo e elevado perfilhamento. Estes fatores facilitam sua utilização em sistemas de produção a pasto.

ABSTRACT: Elephant grass (pennisetum purpureum schum.) has been grown only in cut-and-carry systems for a long time. However, interest in its grazing management has been increasing because of the selection of short-sized genotypes, which have gained new relevance since 1988 with the registration of ‘mott’ grass. in this sense, tall and short-sized genotypes present important differences in morphology, quality and productivity; although, environmental factors also exert influence on these aspects. This review aimed to approach how the elephant grass size can influence the morphophysiological characteristics, management decisions, and exploitation of this species. the morphophysiological aspects and the elephant grass sizes are important to direct their utilization in the different production systems. The research results from previous decades suggest that the particularities of the tall-sized genotypes, such as great forage accumulation, high organic reserves content, and stem elongation, favor their management in cut-and-carry systems and industrial sectors. Conversely, the short-sized elephant grass genotypes present aspects as higher leaf proportion in the harvested forage, leaf/stem ratio, and tillering. these factors facilitate their exploitation in grazing systems.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de sombreamento arbóreo da espécie Clitoria fairchildiana sobre a composição bromatológica do capim-tanganica (Megatyrsus maximus Jacq. cv. Tanganica), nas estações do verão I (2011/2012), primavera (2012) e verão II (2012/2013). Para tanto, foi instalado um experimento sob delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos (níveis de sombreamento) e cinco repetições em Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Foram avaliados os teores de: matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e em detergente ácido (FDA), proteína insolúvel em detergente neutro (PIDN) e em detergente ácido (PIDA), lignina (LIG) e matéria mineral (MM). Os dados foram analisados pelo PROC MIXED do SAS®, com medidas repetidas no tempo, e as médias dos tratamentos comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P<0,05); ou pelo PROC REG do SAS® para as análises de regressão (P<0,05). Houve efeito de interação entre nível de sombreamento e estação do ano para teores de MS, PB, FDN, FDA, PIDN, PIDA e MM. Os teores de lignina foram influenciados apenas pelo nível de sombreamento. Os teores de MS, FDN, FDA e lignina foram reduzidos, enquanto aqueles de PB, PIDN e MM aumentaram linearmente em função dos níveis de sombreamento. Maiores teores de PIDA foram verificados somente na primavera. O aumento do sombreamento arbóreo de Clitoria fairchildiana melhora a composição bromatológica da forragem do capim-tanganica, durante o verão.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different Clitoria fairchildiana tree shading levels on the Tanganyika grass (Megatyrsus maximus Jacq. cv. Tanganyika) chemical composition, in summer I (2011/2012), spring (2012) and summer II (2012/2013) seasons. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments (shading levels) and five repetitions at Seropédica, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The following variables were evaluated: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent (ADF) fiber, neutral (NDIP) and acid (ADIP) detergent insoluble protein, lignin (LIG) and mineral matter (MM) contents. Data were analyzed by PROC MIXED SAS®, with repeated measures in time, and treatment means compared by Tukey’s test (P<0.05) or by PROC REG (P<0.05 for regression analysis. There was a significant interaction between season and shading level for DM, CP, NDF, ADF, NDIP, ADIP and MM contents (P<0.05). Lignin content was only influenced by shading level (P<0.05). The DM, NDF, ADF and lignin contents were reduced by shading increase while CP, NIDP and MM contents were increased. Higher ADIP contents were found only in the spring. The increase in Clitoria fairchildiana tree shading improves the chemical composition of Tanganyika grass forage during summer season.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional value, fermentation losses, and aerobic stability of elephant grass silage (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) treated with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replicates (experimental silos) and five levels of fibrolytic enzymes (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0%). For this, the elephant grass was ensiled at 70 days of age in plastic buckets with 20L capacity. Silos were opened 60 days after sealing. Analyses were made for chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), effluent losses (EL), gas losses (GL) and dry matter recovery (DMR), as well as the aerobic stability of the silage. Data were analyzed with PROC REG of SAS® University, at 5% probability. There was an increase in IVDMD content (p < 0.0001) and reduction in NDF and ADF contents (p < 0.0001) according to enzyme levels. These results were related to the increase in the degradation of fiber fractions. There were higher EL (p = 0.0062) as a function of enzyme levels and aerobic deterioration after silo opening, at all levels tested. Thus, it can be concluded that the exogenous fibrolytic enzymes change the chemical composition of elephant grass silage, and increase its digestibility and nutritional value. Moreover, when used alone as an additive, fibrolytic enzymes are not able to recover all dry matter of this silage (with effluent and gas losses), and are not able to maintain aerobic stability in the first hours after opening the silos.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological and structural characteristics of deferred Urochloa decumbens Stapf. ‘Basilisk’ grazed by Nellore heifers under two periods of protein and energy supplementation (PES). The experiment was carried out from Jun 21 to Nov 15, 2016, under a completely randomized design and two PES periods (55 [P55] and 147 [P147] days). Forage mass (FM), leaf blade dry mass (LBDM), stem dry mass (SDM), dead material dry mass (DMDM), canopy height (CH), and forage bulk density (FBD) were evaluated. Data were analyzed by the SAS® PROC MIXED procedure and treatment means were compared with the Student's t test (p < 0.05). LBDM was higher for P147 heifers after 21, 84, and 126 days of grazing, similar to those observed after 63 days, and was higher for P55 heifers at 42, 105, and 147 days of grazing. SDM was lower for P147 heifers after 21, 42, 105, and 126 days, and similar in the other grazing periods. Protein and energy supplementation for heifers over 147 days resulted in a lower stem mass of U. decumbens Stapf. ‘Basilisk’ deferred pastures.