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 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.

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%).

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.

The objective of this work was to evaluate effects of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) inclusion on microbial populations, fermentation profile, nutrient losses and chemical composition of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum schum.) Silages. The experimental design was entirely randomized with five treatments: elephant grass; elephant grass plus 15% of jackfruit; elephant grass plus 30% of jackfruit; elephant grass plus 60% of jackfruit and only jackfruit. Jackfruit levels were based on natural matter. Grass was cut at 50 days old and ensiled in 6-l buckets with Bunsen valve to allow gases flow out. Enterobacter population decreased linearly (p<0.05) as jackfruit level has increased, similarly that observed to pH. Lactic acid production presented higher value in 15% jackfruit inclusion and tended to fall (p<0.05) as jackfruit level increase. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) contents increased (p<0.05) linearly, rising to 18 and 12% respectively in the treatment with 15% of fresh jackfruit. The contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and hemicellulose (HEM) decreased (p<0.05), with the addition of jackfruit. The losses by gas decreased (p<0.05) from 6.81 to 4.77% DM with the addition of 15% of jackfruit, as the effluent losses and dry matter recovery increased quadratically (p<0.05) reached 93.87 kg/t for silage with 60% of jackfruit. The inclusion of 15% in nature jackfruit ensure good fermentation profile of elephant grass silage, promoting decrease of gas losses, increase of dry matter recovery and improvement of chemical composition.

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de jaca (Artocarpus heterophyllus) in natura sobre as populações microbianas, perfil fermentativo, perdas de nutrientes e composição bromatológica de silagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum schum.). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos: capim-elefante; capim-elefante + 15% jaca; capim-elefante + 30% de jaca e capim-elefante + 60% de jaca e 100% de jaca, com quatro repetições. Os níveis de jaca foram definidos com base na matéria natural. O capim foi cortado aos 50 dias de rebrota e ensilado em silos de 6 litros de capacidade, com válvula de Bunsen para escape dos gases. A população de enterobactérias decresceu linearmente (p<0,05) com o aumento dos níveis de inclusão de jaca, acompanhando o decréscimo (p<0,05) linear do pH. A produção de ácido lático apresentou maior valor no nível de inclusão de 15% e tendeu a cair (p<0,05) com o aumento dos níveis de inclusão. Os teores de matéria seca (Ms) e proteína bruta (PB) aumentaram linearmente (p<0,05), atingindo 18 e 12% respectivamente, no tratamento com 15% de jaca in natura. Os teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e hemicelulose (HEM) diminuíram linearmente (p<0,05), com a adição de jaca. As perdas por gases diminuíram (p<0,05) de 6,81 para 4,77% Ms com adição 15% de jaca, enquanto as perdas por efluente e recuperação de matéria seca aumentaram quadraticamente (p<0,05) alcançando 93,87 kg/t na silagem com 60% de jaca. A inclusão de 15% de jaca in natura assegura uma boa fermentação de silagens de capim-elefante, proporcionando diminuição das perdas por gases, aumento na recuperação de matéria seca e melhorias na composição bromatológica.

Successful silvopastoral systems depend, among other factors, on identifying of grasses tolerant to shading, and knowledge of the pasture management to which they will be submitted. The literature reports separate results on grass, sometimes about the effect of shading and sometimes about the effect of cutting height and interval. The objective of the present research was to study the performance of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia, under four shading levels (0, 25, 50 and 75%), two intervals (30 and 60 days) and three cutting heights (15, 25 and 35 cm). A randomized block design in splitplots with three replications was used, the shading levels representing the units and the factorial the cutting intervals and heights, representing subunits. The results of the treatment effects on the variables showed that the treatments in the with greater cutting interval and heights and the lower shading levels provided to more canopy dry matter in the plants, while the greatest interval and shading levels resulted in the biggest values registered for leaf area.

O sucesso dos sistemas silvipastoris, dentre outros fatores, depende da identificação de gramíneas tolerantes ao sombreamento, além do conhecimento sobre manejo de pastejo. A literatura mostra resultados separados em relação às gramíneas sobre efeitos ora de sombreamento, ora de altura e intervalo de corte. O objetivo foi estudar o comportamento Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia, sob quatro níveis de sombreamento (0, 25, 50 e 75%), dois intervalos (30 e 60 dias) e três alturas de corte (15, 25 e 35 cm). O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, dispostos em parcelas subdivididas com três repetições, com os níveis de sombreamento representando as parcelas e o fatorial dois intervalos e três alturas de corte, representando as subparcelas. Os resultados mostraram que o maior intervalo e maiores alturas de corte e os menores níveis de sombreamento proporcionaram mais massa seca aérea nas plantas, enquanto os maiores intervalos e níveis de sombreamento foram os responsáveis pela maior área foliar.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the difference among horses and mules in grazing behaviour on coast-cross pasture. A completely randomized experimental design with tree categories (horses, mares and mules) as treatments, each with seven repetitions. The experiment lasted 40 days, being 25 for animal adaptation and 15 for evaluation, that consisted of three replicates, with duration of 24 hours each, in intervals of five days. The t test showed that horses grazed less time during the day (6.38 hours) than mares (8.85 hours) and mules (7.33 hours). In relation to the total grazing time, the mules spent more time (14.77 hours), while the horses grazed during 11.60 hours. Horses stayed larger time in idling than mares and mules, emphasizing the smallest nutritional demand of horses. There was no difference between horses and mares, regarding the number of bites per minute. The mares and mules increased the time of grazing in order to reach their nutritional demands, since there was no difference in the frequency of mouthfuls.

Foi conduzido um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar as diferenças no comportamento de eqüídeos em pastagem de coast-cross. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três categorias (cavalos, éguas e mulas) representando os tratamentos, cada um com sete repetições. O período experimental foi de 40 dias, sendo 25 para adaptação dos animais e 15 para avaliações, que consistiram de três repetições, com duração de 24 horas cada, em intervalos de cinco dias. O teste t demonstrou que os cavalos passaram menos tempo pastejando durante o dia (6,38 horas) em relação às éguas (8,85 horas) e mulas (7,33 horas). Em relação ao tempo total em pastejo, as mulas gastaram mais tempo (14,77 horas), enquanto os cavalos pastejaram durante 11,60 horas. Os cavalos permaneceram maior tempo em ócio que as éguas e mulas, enfatizando a menor exigência nutricional dos cavalos. Não foram observadas diferenças entre cavalos e éguas, com relação à quantidade de bocados por minuto. As éguas e mulas aumentaram o seu tempo de pastejo como forma de atingir suas exigências nutricionais, já que não houve diferença na freqüência de bocados.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e a viabilidade econômica da utilização de diferentes dietas na terminação de ovinos. Foram utilizados 20 ovinos machos inteiros com sete meses de idade e peso vivo inicial de 25kg. O experimento teve duração de 60 dias, sendo que os animais tiveram sete dias de adaptação às dietas e 53 para o período de pesagens, coletas das sobras e dietas oferecidas. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições: milho + soja + feno de Tifton 85 (DR); milho + soja + caju + feno de Tifton 850 (DC); milho + soja + maracujá + feno de Tifton 85 (DM); milho desintegrado com palha e sabugo (MDPS) + feno de leucena + feno de Tifton 85 (DL). Observou-se efeito do tratamento (P<0,05) sobre consumo de matéria seca (CMS), consumo de proteína bruta (CPB) e consumo de fibra em detergente neutro (CFDN). Os ganhos médios diários de peso, em gramas, foram 171,60, 218,80, 217,20, 187,00 para os tratamentos DR, DC, DM e DL, respectivamente. Registrou-se menor CMS, CPB e CFDN para o tratamento DL. Não foi observada influência das dietas sobre o rendimento de carcaça quente e fria. A análise econômica revelou valores de benefício líquido de R$-20,40; R$44,77; R$31,41; 39,10 e taxa de retorno de -12,4%; 31,8%; 20,6%; 32,8% para os tratamentos DR, DC, DM e DL, respectivamente.

The performance and economical viability of using different diets in sheep termination were evaluated. Twenty rams aging seven-month old and averaging initial live body weight of 25kg were used. The experimental period lasted 60 days, with seven adaptation and 53 for body weight evaluation, and feed and leftover sampling. A completely randomized design with four treatments and five repetitions was used. The treatments included: corn + soybean + Tifton 85 hay (DR), corn + soybean + cashew + Tifton 85 hay (DC), corn + soybean + passion fruit + Tifton 85 hay (DM), and corn and cob meal (MDPS) + Tifton 85 hay + leucaena hay (DL). Treatment affected (P<0.05) intakes of dry matter (CMS), crude protein (CPB), and neutral detergent fiber (CFDN). Average body weight gains (g) were 171.60, 218.80, 217.20, and 187.00 for the treatments DR, DC, DM, and DL, respectively. Lower CMS, CPB, and CFDN were observed for DL. There was no effect of diets on the hot and cold carcass yields. Economical analysis indicated liquid profits of R$ -20.40, R$ 44.77, R$ 31.41, and 39.10 and return ratios of 12.4%, 31.8%, 20.6%, and 32.8% for DR, DC, DM, and DL, respectively.

Avaliou-se o comportamento ingestivo de pastejo de vacas leiteiras em pastagens de Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens, em sistema de lotação contínua com taxa de lotação variável. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com os dois pastos representando os tratamentos, cada um com cinco repetições. O período experimental foi de 30 dias, sendo 20 para adaptação dos animais e 10 para avaliações, em número de três, com duração de 24h cada, em intervalos de cinco dias. O tempo de pastejo da Brachiaria brizantha foi menor, 10,82h, que o tempo de pastejo da Brachiaria decumbens, 12,86h. Comportamento oposto foi observado para o tempo de ruminação, 7,95 e 6,45h para os pastos de Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens, respectivamente. A quantidade de bocados por minuto foi menor na Brachiaria decumbens, 37,30, e maior na Brachiaria brizantha, 42,12. Houve adequação entre os tempos de pastejo, ruminação e taxa de bocados, de modo que o total de bocados e o tempo de ócio não foram diferentes entre os dois pastos.

The grazing behavior of lactating cows in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens, in system of continuous stocking with variable stocking rate was evaluated. A completely randomized experimental design, with two treatments (pastures) and five replicates was used. The experimental period last 30 days, 20 for adaptation of the animals and 10 for three experimental evaluations, of 24h each, in intervals of five days. The grazing time of cows on the Brachiaria brizantha pasture, 10,82h, was lower than on the Brachiaria decumbens, 12,86h. Inverse behavior was observed for rumination time, 7,95 and 6,45h for cows on the pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens, respectively. The amount of bite per minute was lower for cows on the Brachiaria decumbens, number 37,30h, than on the Brachiaria brizantha, 42,12h. There was an adequacy among grazing time, rumination time and rate of bites and, as a consequence, no difference between pastures was observed for total of bites and time of idling.