ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate dry matter production, fermentative parameters, and nutritional value of the silage of corn intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in different forage systems and maturity stages, in the off-season. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, with four replications, in a 5×3 factorial arrangement consisting of five forage systems: corn monocropped; Paiaguas palisadegrass monocropped; corn intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in the row, inter-row, and oversown; and three corn maturity stages (milky, soft dough, and hard dough with 80, 90, and 110 days after sowing, respectively). The results showed that the silage of corn intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in the row and inter-row at the hard dough stage presented greater productivity per area and better fermentative and nutritional characteristics. They can, therefore, be recommended as suitable sowing systems for silage production. Silages produced from intercropping systems proved to be an alternative feed supply technique, allowing the intensification of production systems, maximizing nutrient production per area, in a sustainable manner.

RESUMO. Surgiu recentemente a técnica de produção de silagem de sistemas consorciados de cultura anual e forrageira tropical, na integração lavoura-pecuária, com intuito de minimizar déficit de forragens na entressafra. Sendo assim, objetivou-se avaliar as características fermentativas e valor nutritivo da silagem de sorgo e cultivares de Urochloa brizantha em monocultivo e consorciado em diferentes sistemas de semeadura. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de bloco ao acaso, com três repetições, em esquema fatorial 3x2+4, sendo três cultivares de Urochloa brizantha (Marandu, Xaraés e Piatã), consorciadas com sorgo granífero em dois sistemas de semeadura (linha e entrelinha) e quatro monocultivos (Sorgo, Marandu, Xaraés e Piatã). A forma de semeadura dos sistemas consorciados não interferiu nas características fermentativas e químico-bromatológicas das silagens. O mesmo foi obtido para cultivares de Urochloa brizantha. As silagens do consórcio do sorgo com cultivares de Urochloa brizantha apresentaram menores valores de pH, capacidade tampão, N-NH3, ácido acético e butírico e maior ácido lático, além da qualidade superior, quanto aos parâmetros matéria seca, extrato etéreo e nutrientes digestíveis totais. Portanto, silagens dos sistemas consorciados garantem adequado processo fermentativo e qualidade nutricional, constituindo interessantes opções de volumosos suplementar para ser utilizado na entressafra na alimentação animal.

ABSTRACT. Recently it has emerged a technique for silage production of intercropping systems of annual crop with forage through crop-livestock integration, aiming to reduce the deficit forage in the offseason. The study was conducted to evaluate the fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of silage of sorghum and Urochloa brizantha cultivars monocropped or intercropped in different planting systems. The experiment was a randomized block design, with three replications, in a 3x2+4 factorial arrangement, with three cultivars of Urochloa brizantha (Marandu; Xaraes and Piata) intercropped with grain sorghum in two planting systems (row and between rows) and four monocrops (Sorghum, Marandu palisadegrass, Xaraes palisadegrass and Piatã palisadegrass). The planting system of intercropping systems did not interfere with fermentation characteristics and chemical composition of silages. The same was found for Urochloa cultivars. Silages from intercropping sorghum with Urochloa brizantha cultivars had lower pH values, buffering capacity, acetic and butyric acids and higher values of lactic acid, besides showed superior quality, as for the parameters dry matter, ether extract and total digestible nutrient than silages from grasses produced in monocropping system. Therefore, silages of intercropping systems ensure fermentation and nutritional quality, providing interesting supplementary bulky options to be used in the offseason for feeding animals.

RESUMO O girassol sob forma de silagem é uma alternativa para ser utilizado no período de safrinha, em que a deficiência hídrica torna as culturas tradicionais inviáveis. No entanto, a silagens exclusiva de girassol apresentam níveis acima de 70 g/kg MS de extrato etéreo, o que pode comprometer a fermentação ruminal. Sendo assim, a ensilagem do girassol com forrageiras tropicais pode trazer benefícios para a qualidade da silagem. Sendo assim, objetivouse avaliar o perfil fermentativo e o valor nutritivo da silagem de girassol com cultivares de Urochloa brizantha na safrinha. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da silagem de girassol com e sem adição de cultivares de Urochloa brizantha na ensilagem: silagem de girassol; silagem de girassol + 30% do capim-marandu; silagem de girassol + 30% do capim-xaraés; silagem de girassol + 30% do capim-piatã e silagem de girassol + 30% do capim-paiaguás, totalizando 20 silos experimentais. Os resultados demonstraram que as silagens com adição dos cultivares de Urochloa brizantha, contribuíram para melhorar o perfil fermentativo e valor nutricional das silagens. Silagens com 30% dos capins piatã e paiaguás apresentaram maiores teores de PB e menores teores de FDA e lignina, sendo mais recomendadas para ensilagem com girassol.

SUMMARY Sunflower as silage is an alternative to be used in the off-season, when water shortage makes traditional crops unfeasible. However, exclusive sunflower silages have levels above 70 g/kg DM ether extract, which may impair ruminal fermentation. Thus, ensiling sunflower with tropical forages can bring benefits to the quality of the silage. This study evaluated the fermentation profile and nutritional value of sunflower silage with cultivars of Urochloa brizantha in the off-season. This was a completely randomized experimental design with four replications. The treatments were composed of the sunflower silage with and without addition of cultivars of Urochloa brizantha in the ensiling process: sunflower silage; sunflower silage + 30% Marandu palisadegrass; sunflower silage + 30% Xaraes palisadegrass; sunflower silage + 30% Piata palisadegrass and sunflower silage + 30% Paiaguas palisadegrass, totaling 20 experimental silos. The addition of the cultivars of Urochloa brizantha to sunflower silage contributed to improve the fermentation profile and nutritional value of the silages. Silages with 30% Piata and Paiaguas palisadegrass showed higher levels of CP and lower levels of ADF and lignin, and these cultivars are the most recommended for ensiling with sunflower.