Endothelial dysfunction is a well-known component of the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), with proven prognostic value. Dietary supplementation with whey protein (WP) has been widely used to increase skeletal muscle mass, but it also has vascular effects, which are less understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of WP supplementation on the systemic microvascular function of HF patients. This was a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effects of 12-week WP dietary supplementation on systemic microvascular function, in patients with HF New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I/II. Cutaneous microvascular flow and reactivity were assessed using laser speckle contrast imaging, coupled with pharmacological local vasodilator stimuli. Fifteen patients (aged 64.5±6.2 years, 11 males) received WP supplementation and ten patients (aged 68.2±8.8 years, 8 males) received placebo (maltodextrin). The increase in endothelial-dependent microvascular vasodilation, induced by skin iontophoresis of acetylcholine, was improved after WP (P=0.03) but not placebo (P=0.37) supplementation. Moreover, endothelial-independent microvascular vasodilation induced by skin iontophoresis of sodium nitroprusside, was also enhanced after WP (P=0.04) but not placebo (P=0.42) supplementation. The results suggested that dietary supplementation with WP improved systemic microvascular function in patients with HF.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the growth and in vitro fermentation of cellulolytic, glycolytic, and amylolytic microorganisms from the rumen of a goat. Six concentrations of each salt were tested separately, namely 0 mg/dL, 100 mg/dL, 200 mg/dL, 400 mg/dL, 800 mg/dL, and 1600 mg/dL in the culture medium. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 6 x 3 factorial arrangement of salt concentration and substrate (starch, cellulose, and glucose) with three replications of each treatment combination. Concentrations of microbial protein, ammonia (NH3-N), and volatile fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) were measured. A quadratic effect of CaCl2 concentration on the production of microbial protein was observed in the cellulose medium. The effect of MgCl2 on NH3-N production in the cellulose medium decreased linearly. Propionate concentration decreased linearly with increasing levels of NaCl and MgCl2 in the media containing starch. There was a decreasing linear effect of MgCl2 on the concentration of butyrate in the media containing glucose. In conclusion, concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2 up to 1,600 mg/dL did not affect the microbial activity of starch, cellulose, and glucose-fermenting organisms. However, the microbial activity of starch-fermenting microbes was inhibited at salt concentrations above 800 mg/dL. Thus, brackish water could be used by goats in semiarid regions, but its use should be managed carefully so that it does not have a negative impact on rumen microbial populations.

This study was carried out to examine the degradation dynamics of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and the profile of volatile fatty acids that originate from the fermentation of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris, L.) with various levels of ammonia in the growth medium. The treatments consisted of six levels of ammonia in the growth medium (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 mg/dL), which were obtained by adding urea. These in vitro incubation times were evaluated in three replicates per time for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Rumen concentrations of acetate and propionate responded quadratically to the ammonia levels. The treatment with 15 mg/dL of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen fluid provided mean acetate and propionate contents of 57.6 mM and 23.1 mM, respectively. Urea addition elevated the degradation rate of potentially degradable fraction of NDF (pdNDF) from 2.5% to 20.1% in comparison with the treatment without urea and to a reduction in estimated discrete lag time from 0.34 to 2.31 hours. Urea supplementation increased the specific microorganism growth rate from 2.6% to 20.1%. At the end of the incubation trial, NDF degradation showed a quadratic response, with maximum value obtained at 17.76 mg/dL of ammonia in the rumen fluid. Urea improves the degradation dynamics of NDF from deferred buffel grass and increases the concentrations of acetate and propionate.

This study aimed to evaluate the microbial populations, fermentation profile, dry matter recovery and chemical composition of elephant grass silage with ground maize (GM) and the fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB). A factorial design was used with four levels of GM (0 g/kg, 50 g/kg, 100 g/kg and 200 g/kg), untreated or treated with FJLB, in a completely randomized design with five replicates. A pre-experiment was undertaken to determine the optimum level of sucrose to be added to fermented juice for the development of epiphytic microflora. In this pre-experiment, a completely randomized design with three replications was used. The treatments were represented by the levels of sucrose (0 g/kg, 5 g/kg, 10 g/kg, 20 g/kg, 40 g/kg, 60 g/kg and 80 g/kg, fresh matter basis). The microbial populations, dry matter recovery, and effluent losses were affected by the interaction between GM and FJLB. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) contents increased linearly with the inclusion of GM. The addition of GM enhanced the fermentation process via a reduction in losses, and improvements were identified in the nutritional value of elephant grass silages. The use of fermented juice increased dry matter recovery, and its effect was more pronounced when ground maize was added.

Thirty-two mixed-breed ram lambs (average age, 5.6 ± 0.4 months, and average live weight, 17.61 ± 2.63 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of diets containing silages of forages adapted to a semi-arid environment on the metabolic profile in serum and the histopathological assessment of liver and kidney tissues of the lambs. Lambs were allocated, in a completely randomised design, to four treatments (silage of old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia Lind), buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and 'pornunça' (Manihot sp.). The feedlot period was 49 days, and animals were slaughtered at an average weight of 27 ± 4.6 kg. On the last day of the experiment, blood was collected from the jugular vein of all animals to measure the protein, metabolic and energy profiles of the lambs. At slaughter, kidney and liver samples were collected for histopathological examination. The consuming of the diet containing buffelgrass silage resulted in a significantly higher activity of alanine-aminotransferase (30.14 IU/L) and the concentrations of urea (44.25 mg/dL), creatinine (0.94 mg/dL) and albumin (4.48 g/dL) in serum. Diets containing gliricidia silage resulted in significantly higher gamma-glutamyl transferase activity (92.0 IU/L), while the diets with pornunça silage resulted in higher serum levels of triglycerides (37.85 mg/dL). The diets had no effect on aspartate-aminotransferase enzyme activity and total protein, cholesterol and globulin concentrations, or the albumin : globulin ratio in serum. Mild congestion, necrosis and foci of mineralisation were observed in the kidneys of animals fed diets containing old man saltbush (50%) and pornunça (25%) silages, and mild fatty degeneration and mild mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in their livers. In conclusion, diets containing silages of forages that are adapted to semi-arid environments may be used for feeding lambs, given the absence of dysfunctioning plasmatic levels of liver enzymes and energy and protein profiles. Additionally, kidney failure was not observed in lambs fed these diets during the feedlot period.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing silages of forages that are adapted to the semi-arid environment on the characteristics of the carcass and of non-carcass components of 32 mixed-breed lambs at approximately six months old, with an average live weight of 17.61 ± 2.63 kg. Lambs were assigned to four treatments (diets containing silages of Atriplex nummularia Lind, Cenchrus ciliaris, Gliricidia sepium and Manihot sp.) in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. Animals fed the diet containing old man saltbush showed higher values for the intakes of dry matter (1.080 g/day), crude protein (190 g/day) and total digestible nutrients (740 g/day), body condition score (2.81 points), fatness (2.87 points), carcass conformation (3.19 points), live weight (29.1 kg), empty bodyweight (23.41 kg), weights of the commercial cuts neck, shoulder and ribs (0.46, 0.82 and 1.12 kg, respectively), and skin weight (1.972 kg). No differences were found between the diets for carcass dressing percentage, external and internal carcass lengths, leg length and circumference, rump circumference and width, chest width and depth, full bodyweight, empty bodyweight, cooling losses, pH before and after cooling, loin, and leg. Silages of old man saltbush, buffelgrass, gliricidia and pornunça are recommended for inclusion in lamb diets. Diets with old man saltbush silage provide the best results for characteristics of the carcass and of non-carcass components besides weight gain, which can reach up to 200 g/day depending on the formulation.

RESUMO Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a quantidade de fibra na dieta que é capaz de promover melhor uso de nutrientes na dieta de cabras leiteiras quando a palma forrageira é a principal fonte de forragem. Quinze cabras leiteiras alpinas foram distribuídas em um quadrado latino triplo 5 × 5 contendo cinco tratamentos e cinco períodos. Testaram-se cinco dietas compostas por diferentes teores de fibra em detergente neutro de feno de tifton (FDNf) na matéria seca de rações contendo palma forrageira: D1: 11,98%; D2: 18,31%; D3: 23,68%; D4: 28,76% e D5: 32,12% de FDNf. A ingestão de matéria seca, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, carboidratos não fibrosos e extrato etéreo diminuiu linearmente com o aumento do conteúdo de FDNf. Houve um aumento linear da produção de leite e da proteína do leite com o aumento da FDNf dietética. A gordura, a lactose, o extrato seco, o pH e a acidez do leite não foram afetados pelo aumento dos níveis de FDNf na dieta. Em situações em que as cabras leiteiras são alimentadas com palma forrageira e outros tipos de forragem são limitados, 11,98% de FDN de forragem diferente da palma podem ser usados como fonte efetiva de fibra.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the amount of fiber in the diet that is able to promote better use of nutrients in the diet of dairy goats when forage palm is the main source of roughage. Fifteen Alpine dairy goats were distributed in a 5 × 5 triple Latin square containing five treatments and five periods, and each treatment contained. We tested five diets composed of different contents of neutral detergent fiber from Tifton hay (NDFf) in the dry matter of rations containing forage palm: D1: 11.98%; D2: 18.31%; D3: 23.68%; D4: 28.76% and D5: 32.12% NDFf. The intake of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates and ether extract decreased linearly with the increase in NDFf content. There was a linear increase of milk production and milk protein with increasing dietary NDFf. The fat, dry extract, protein, pH and acidity of the evaluated milk were not affected by increasing the levels of NDFf in the diet. In situations where dairy goats are fed forage palm and other types of forage are limited, 11.98% NDF from forage other than palm can be used as an effective source of NDF.

Hypovitaminosis D has been identified as a possible new cardiovascular risk factor. However, the results of studies correlating serum vitamin D levels with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis have been conflicting. The aim of this study was to correlate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Afro-descendants. A cross-sectional analysis was performed on a sample of 382 individuals from a cohort of descendants of African slaves, inhabitants of “Quilombola” communities, with a mean age of 57.79 ±15.3 years, 54.5% of whom were women. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected and biochemical tests were performed, including serum levels of 25(OH)D by electrochemiluminescence and urinary albumin excretion, evaluated by the albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) in a spot urine sample. All participants underwent high-resolution ultrasonography for C-IMT measurement. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as serum 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL. The mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 50.4±13.5 ng/mL, with a low prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (4.86%). By simple linear correlation, a significant inverse association between 25(OH)D levels and C-IMT (r=-0.174, P=0.001) was observed. However, after multiple linear regression analysis, the significance of the association between serum levels of 25(OH)D and C-IMT measurement was lost (β=-0.039, P=0.318) and only male gender, age, smoking, systolic blood pressure, glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol remained significantly associated with C-IMT. Levels of 25(OH)D were independently and positively associated with HDL-cholesterol and inversely associated with age and ACR. In conclusion, no independent association between 25(OH)D levels and C-IMT was observed in this population. On the other hand, there was an inverse association with albuminuria, a marker of endothelial lesion.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a influência de dietas contendo silagem de diferentes cultivares de sorgo sobre as características físicas e químicas na carne de ovinos sem padrão racial definido, com idade entre cinco e sete meses e peso vivo médio de 17,7±3,7kg, alimentados com dietas contendo silagem de diferentes cultivares de sorgo. O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental Pendência, pertencente à Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Emepa, tendo um período experimental de 42 dias. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (silagem de sorgo BRS 610, BRS 655, BRS 800, BRS 810 e Ponta Negra) e sete repetições. Ao atingirem o peso de abate de 26,24kg, os animais foram encaminhados ao abate. Procedeu-se à análise do pH, da cor, da perda de peso por cocção, da força de cisalhamento, bem como à determinação de umidade, proteínas, cinzas e lipídeos totais no músculo Longissimus dorsi. As dietas não influenciaram os parâmetros de pH (5,64), cor (L*23,13, a* 18,00, b*15,78), perdas de peso por cocção (34,43%), umidade (72,53%), proteína (24,08%), cinzas (1,09%) e lipídeos (2,99%). A força de cisalhamento diferiu entre as dietas, com a silagem do cultivar BRS 655 propiciando uma carne mais macia (2,10kgf/cm2). As silagens de sorgo utilizadas na confecção das dietas de cordeiros em confinamento não interferem nas características de qualidade da carne de ovinos sem padrão racial definido. Dietas contendo silagem de sorgo granífero BRS 655 proporcionaram uma carne mais macia.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the influence of diets containing silage of different sorghum cultivars on the physical and chemical characteristics in the meat of lambs. Thirty five animals of undefined breed with average age between 5 and 7 months and average body weight of 17. 7±3.7kg were used. The lambs were randomly assigned to five treatments (sorghum silage BRS 610, BRS 655, BRS 800, BRS 810 e Ponta Negra) with seven replicates. When they reach 26.24kg of weight, the animals were sent to be slaughtered. Proceeded to the analysis of pH, color, cooking losses, shear force, determination of humidity, protein, ash and total amount of lipids in the Longissimus dorsi. The diets did not influence the parameters of pH (5.64), color (L*23.13, a* 18.00, b*15.78), cooking losses (34.43%), humidity (72.53%), protein (24.08%), ash (1.09%) or lipids (2.99%). The shear force differed among the diets, with the silage of cultivar BRS 655 providing a tender meat (2.10kgf/cm2). The sorghum silages used in in the diets did not interfere in the meat quality characteristics of feedlot lambs. Diets containing sorghum grain silage BRS 655 provided a tender meat.

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar as silagens de 23 híbridos de sorgo por meio da técnica in vitro semiautomática de produção de gases. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com 23 tratamentos e três repetições, sendo os tratamentos as silagens de híbridos de sorgo. Os híbridos foram cultivados na estação experimental do Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), no município de Campina Grande - PB. A produção de gases foi estimada por intermédio do modelo logístico bicompartimental, ajustado às curvas de produção cumulativa de gases. Com relação ao volume final de carboidratos fibrosos (VfCF), houve efeito de híbrido (P<0,05), com resultados variando de 105,99 a 144,53mL/g de MS. Os valores de taxa de degradação dos carboidratos fibrosos (KdCF) variaram (P<0,05), e o híbrido 866041 apresentou o maior resultado 0,015h-1. Os valores de volume final total (VfT) variaram (P<0,05), e os híbridos 870085, Volumax e XBS 60329 apresentaram maiores (P<0,05) valores de VfT em relação aos demais. Pela análise multivariada, foram formados seis grupos distintos. O grupo 2, composto pelos híbridos 22 (Volumax) e 23 (XBS60329), apresentou os maiores valores médios para os volumes de gás, tanto para os carboidratos fibrosos quanto para os não fibrosos. O grupo 4, composto pelo híbrido 1 (866005), apresentou as menores médias para volume de gás produzido e o maior lag time (3,15 horas). Todos os híbridos estudados apresentam potencial para ensilagem, de acordo com a cinética de fermentação ruminal.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the silage of 23 sorghum hybrids using the in vitro semi-automatic gas production technique. A completely randomized design with 23 treatments was used, with three replications, and treatments were the sorghum-hybrids silages. Hybrids were grown at the experimental station of the Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), in Campina Grande - PB. The gas production was estimated using the bicompartimental logistic model, adjusted to the curves of cumulative gas production. A significant effect (P<0.05) was observed for final gas of fibrous carbohydrates (VfCF), which results ranged from 105.99 to 144.53mL/g of DM. Degradation rate of fibrous carbohydrates (KdCF) values ranged (P<0.05) for the hybrid 866041, which showed the highest result 0.015h-1. Final total volume (VFT) was affected by hybrid (P<0.05), in which hybrids 870085, Volumax and XBS60329 had the highest (P<0.05) values compared to other hybrids. By multivariate analysis were formed six distinct groups. Group 2, consisting of hybrids 22 (Volumax) and 23 (XBS60329) showed the highest average values for gas volumes, both for fibrous carbohydrates and for the non-fibrous. Group 4, comprising the hybrid 1 (866005), had the lowest gas volume produced means and a highest lag time (3.15 hours). All hybrids studied have potential to silage, according to the ruminal fermentation kinetics.

São propostas atividades práticas simples para a caracterização de propriedades do som produzido por violões e guitarras através de uma análise harmônica. Entre elas, propomos uma demonstração que pode ser feita em tempo real em sala de aula. Nas atividades desenvolvidas, amostras de som produzidas por instrumentos de cordas são capturadas e analisadas através de uma abordagem espectral. Propriedades físicas da corda do violão e guitarra são exploradas. Os resultados experimentais são comparados com as predições teóricas, com uma concordância excelente. As ferramentas apresentadas podem ser utilizadas como material de apoio no estudo de cordas vibrantes, oscilações, ondas, equações diferenciais, análise harmônica baseada em transformadas de Fourier e instrumentação para o laboratório de física.

Simple practical activities are proposed for the characterization of the sound produced by guitars and electric guitars with a harmonic analysis. Among them, we propose a demonstration that can be carried out in real time at the classroom. In the developed activities, sound samples produced by string instruments are captured and analyzed within a spectral approach. Physical characteristics of the guitar strings are explored. Experimental results are compared with the theoretical predictions, with excellent agreement. The presented tools can be used as support material in the study of vibrating strings, oscillations, waves, differential equations, harmonic analyses based on Fourier transform, and physics laboratory instrumentation.

This study evaluated the productive response and chemical composition of sorghum hybrid BR 601 to nitrogen fertilization. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five replications. The treatments were: 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N/ha (ammonium sulfate). There was a quadratic increase of yield with N fertilization, the higher value was obtained with 143.19 kg of N/ha for fresh matter (37996 kg/ha) and with 155.67 kg of N/ha for dry matter (16 275 kg/ha). The production of leaf and dead material at the plant did not differ between treatments. The percentage of stem in the plant decreased quadratically up to a dose of 100 kg/ha and the panicle component increased quadratically to 30,96%. So, this component was the main responsible for increase in DM yield. The average plant dry matter varied from 34.84% to 38.98% in the treatment with 200 kg N/ha. The levels of MM decreased (6.41 to 5.49%) and crude protein increased linearly (from 4.99% to 6.23%) with increasing doses of N. The levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose did not differ in relation to nitrogen fertilization. The nitrogen increases the production of dry matter and panicle without changing the fiber constituents of the plant.

Objetivou-se avaliar a resposta produtiva e a composição bromatológica do sorgo híbrido BR 601 ao incremento da adubação nitrogenada. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com cinco repetições. Os trata-mentos foram: 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg/ha de N (sulfato de amônio). A produção variou de forma quadrática ao incremento da adubação nitrogenada, o ponto de máxima para a materia verde foi obtido com 143,19 kg de N/ha (37 996 kg/ha) e para matéria seca com 155,67 kg de N/ha (16 275 kg/ha). A produção de lâmina foliar e material morto na planta não diferiu entre os tratamentos. O percentual de colmo na planta diminuiu de forma quadrática até a dose de 100 kg/ha, o componente panícula aumentou de forma quadrática em 30,96%, o que explica que este componente foi o principal responsável pelo aumento na PMS. O percentual médio de matéria seca da planta variou de 34,84% no tratamento controle a 38,98% no tratamento com 200 kg de N/ha. Os teores de MM diminuíram (6,41 a 5,49%). O teor de PB incrementara linearmente com o aumento nas doses de adubo aplicadas, com variação no teor protéico de 4,99% a 6,23%, respectivamente nos tratamentos 0 e 200 kg de N/ha. Os teores de fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e hemicelulose não diferiram em função da adubação nitrogenada. A adubação nitrogenada aumenta a produção de matéria seca e panícula sem alterar os constituintes fibrosos da planta.

Foram avaliadas a ingestão e a digestibilidade aparente de silagens de capim, utilizando-se 20 ovinos adultos, sem raça definida, castrados, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos: silagem de capim-elefante; silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de()estirpes de Enterococcus faecium; silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de estirpes de Streptococcus bovis JB1; e silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de()estirpes de S. bovis HC5, e cinco repetições por tratamento. O período de avaliação foi de 21 dias, sendo 15 para adaptação e seis para as coletas. Observou-se diferença (P<0,05) entre o consumo de matéria seca, sendo a silagem-controle a que apresentou os valores mais baixos - 1,43%PV ou 42,79g/kg PV0,75/dia -, enquanto a silagem inoculada com S. bovis HC5 apresentou o melhor consumo de matéria seca, 2,3% PV ou 56,10g/kg PV0,75/dia. Menores valores de digestibilidade da matéria seca ocorreram na silagem-controle, 42,8% da MS, seguida pela silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com E. faecium e S. bovis JB1. Para a digestibilidade aparente da fibra em detergente neutro, houve efeito dos inoculantes (P<0,05) com valores acima de cinco pontos percentuais em relação à silagem inoculada, 54,7%.

The intake and digestibility were evaluated in grass silage, using 20 adult sheep, mixed breed, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments: elephant grass silage without inoculant, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g of strains of Enterococcus faecium, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g strains of Streptococcus bovis JB1, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g of strains of S. bovis HC5 and five replicates per treatment. The evaluation period lasted 21 days being 15 for diet adaptation and six for the collections. There was a statistical difference (P<0.05) between the intake of dry matter of the silages assessed, and the highest values were recorded in the silages inoculated with microbial inoculants. Silage without inoculation had the lowest values (P<0.05) of dry matter intake (1.43% BW or 42.79g/kg BW0,75/day) and silage inoculated with Streptococcus bovis HC5 showed higher dry matter intake (2.3% or 56.10BW g/kg BW0,75/day). The lowest digestibility of dry matter occurred in the control silage (42.8% DM) followed by elephant grass silage inoculated with E. faecium and S. bovis JB1, respectively. The apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was affected by inoculation (P<0.05) with values higher than five percentage points compared to elephant grass silage without inoculant (54.7%).

Aimed to evaluate the morphogenetic and structural characteristics of the pasture of Brachiaria decumbens, subjected to several intensities and frequencies of cutting and nitrogen fertilization. Experimental design was randomized blocks in split plots, whit a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement relating to combinations of two cutting heights (40 and 50 cm) and two heights of residue (15 and 25 cm) at the plots and nitrogen fertilization (with or without nitrogen) in sub-plots, with four replications. Mophogenetic variables evaluated were: leaf elongation rate (LER), stem elongation rate (SER), leaf appearance rate (LAR), leaf senescence rate (LSR) and phyllochron; and structural features were: number of basal tillers (NBT), total number of leaves (TNL), number of leaves appeared (NLAp), number of dead leaves (NDL), number of alive leaves (NAL) and final leaf length (FLL). 100 kg N/ha allowed increase (p<0.10) on LER of 31.58% and 126.32% respectively for residues 15 and 25 cm. The NBT compared to cutting heights (40 to 50 cm) were affected (p<0.10) only with the use of nitrogen fertilizer, with average of 145.62 tillers/m² in 50 cm cut height. Residue height of 25 cm combined with cut height 40 cm increase leaf elongation rate and number of basal tillers, reducing expansion time, without changing other structural characteristics of the pasture.

Objetivou-se avaliar as características morfogênicas e estruturais do pasto de Brachiaria decumbens, submetido a intensidades, frequências de corte e adubação nitrogenada. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, tendo na parcela o arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 referente a combinações entre duas alturas de corte (40 e 50 cm) e duas alturas de resíduo (15 e 25 cm) e nas sub-parcelas a adubação nitrogenada (com ou sem nitrogênio), com quatro repetições. As variáveis analisadas para as características morfogênicas foram: taxa de alongamento foliar (TAlF); taxa de alongamento de colmo (TAlC); taxa de aparecimento foliar (TApF); taxa de senescência foliar (TSF) e filocrono; e para as características estruturais foram: número de perfilhos basais (NPB); número de folhas totais (NFT); número de folhas aparecidas (NFAp); número de folhas mortas (NFM); número de folhas vivas (NFV) e comprimento final da folha (CFF). A utilização de 100 kg/ha de N permitiu aumento (p<0,10) na TAlF de 31,58% e 126,32%, respectivamente para os resíduos de 15 e 25 cm. O NPB em comparação às alturas de corte (40 e 50 cm) foi afetado (p<0,10) apenas com a utilização da adubação nitrogenada, observando-se média de 145,62 perfilhos/m² para a altura de corte 50 cm. A altura de resíduo 25 cm combinada com a altura de corte 40 cm, junto à aplicação de 100 kg/ha de N, promovem maior produção de matéria seca total em menor espaço de tempo (28 dias), permitindo maiores taxas de lotação e facilitando o manejo no sistema de lotação rotacionada.

The experiment was developed to evaluate the effect of strains of Streptococcus bovis (HC5 and JB1) on pH, ammonia production and nutritional value in elephant-grass silages (Pennisetum purpureum Schum). The experimental design was entirely randomized, with three treatments: T1 elephant- grass, T2 - grass-elephant inoculated with Streptococcus bovis HC5, T3 - elephant grass inoculated with Streptococcus bovis JB1, totaling five replicates per treatment. The smallest value of ammonia was observed in the silage treated with inoculante the base Streptococcus bovis JB1 (5.90% N-total). Inoculation increased the levels of lactic acid and decreased levels of acetic, propionic and butyric acids, and the silages inoculated with Streptococcus bovis JB1 and HC5 were those with the highest values of lactic acid. There were not statistical differences for the tenors of dry matter (MS) and crude protein (PB). For the values of the fibers, the grass-elephant silage inoculated with Streptococcus bovis JB1, it presented the smallest value of neutral detergent fiber (59.77 %) and Hemicellulose (26.71 %). The largest value of in vitro dry matter digestibility (DIVMS) was observed in the silage with Streptococcus bovis JB1, showing superiority of four percentile points (64.23 %) in relation to the treatment without bacterial inoculante (60.35 %). The use Streptococcus bovis JB1 was efficient in the process fermentativo besides promoting would get better in the quality of the fiber and DIVMS in the studied silage.

O experimento foi desenvolvido objetivando-se avaliar o efeito da inoculação de estirpes de Streptococcus bovis (HC5 e JB1) sobre o pH, a produção de amônia e o valor nutricional em silagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos: T1 - capim-elefante, T2 - capimelefante inoculado com Streptococcus bovis HC5 e T3 - capim-elefante inoculado com Streptococcus bovis JB1, utilizando cinco repetições por tratamento. A menor concentração de amônia foi observada na silagem tratada com inoculante à base Streptococcus bovis JB1 (5,90 p.100 N-total). A inoculação aumentou os teores de ácido láctico e diminuiu os teores de ácidos acético, butírico e propiônico, sendo que as silagens inoculada com Streptococcus bovis JB1 e HC5 foram os que apresentaram os maiores valores de ácido láctico. Não houve diferença estatística para os teores de MS e PB. Para os valores das fibras, a silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com Streptococcus bovis JB1 apresentou o menor valor de FDN (59,77 p.100) e HEM (26,71 p.100). O maior valor da DIVMS foi observado na silagem com Streptococcus bovis JB1, mostrando superioridade de quatro pontos percentuais (64,23 p.100) em relação ao tratamento sem inoculante bacteriano (60,35 p.100). O uso Streptococcus bovis JB1 melhora o processo fermentativo além de promover melhorarias na qualidade da fibra e na DIVMS da silagem estudada.