The research was carried out to evaluate yield, chemical composition and losses of chopped tropical grass hays with the following forages: pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum), sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum) and two cultivars of forage sorghum (SF-25 and IPA-467-4-2) (Sorghum bicolor). The materials were harvested at 30% flowering, except for elephantgrass (60 days). The experiment was conducted according to a complete randomized block design, with five treatments and four replications. There were significant differences among hay productions with sorghum […]

Chromium oxide and n-alkanes (C31:C32 and C33:C32) were used to estimate the dry matter intake (DMI) of lactating Holstein x Zebu cows grazing elephant grass. Extrusa samples of forage were obtained from a cow with esophageal fistula. Fecal grab collection was done twice a day at 7:30 and 14:30 h during 9 days in each experimental period. A randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement was used. Both pairs of n-alkanes estimated similar DMI, independent of time of fecal […]

An experiment was carried out in experimental plots of 300 m2 in size to evaluate the effects of doses of NK fertilization and irrigation on forage mass yield and quality of elephantgras cv Napier during the dry season. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatment replications. The experimental treatments were arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial combination of four N-K2O doses with and without irrigation, in the dry season. N-K2O doses were: 100-80; 200-160; 300-240 and 400-320 […]

The effects of increasing levels of citrus pulp on fermentation pattern and nutritive value of elephantgrass silage was evaluated. Elephantgrass harvested at 90 days was ensiled with increasing levels of dried citrus pulp: 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15% (fresh matter basis). Silages were produced in 28 plastic experimental silos (4 replicates/treatment) bearing Bunsen valves. Silos were opened 106 days after ensiling, when samples were taken for the analysis of silages organic acids and chemical components. Silage dry […]

In order to delineate efficient grazing systems it is important to periodically assess the herbage mass at the farm level. However, the knowledge concerning both, the number of samplings that should be performed and the quadrat (size and format) that should be used in these evaluations remains incomplete. In this context, three experiments were delineated to evaluate the effect of the number of samplings (varying from two to nine) and the dimension:format ratio of the quadrat (.25, 1.0, 2.0, and […]

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of irrigation, followed by increasing levels of nitrogen and potassium (100-80; 200-160; 300-240; 400-320, respectively N and K2O), on the production and chemical composition of the leaf lamina at the elephantgrass. The experimental delineation was of blocks randomized with three repetitions for treatments irrigated and dry land. The low temperatures and the smallest light hours in the dry season determined the low plant forage growth, even with the irrigation. However, in […]

This trial was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nutritive value of the silage of elephantgrass by the addition of 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48% of cashew bagasse (by-product of the cashew juice agro-industry). A completely randomized design with four replicates was used. After 82 days, the silos were opened and samples were collected for determination of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose (HEM), pH and levels of N-NH3 […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of methods and storage times of stem fractions upon tillering and dry matter production of Cameroongrass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cameroon) at 70 days after planting. Its propagation was carried out by planting culm fractions, each one containing four nodes. A split plot experiment design by time with 3 replications was used. Sorage methods of the stem fractions were: 1) tied bundles; 2) tied bundles and kept in plastic bags with […]

An experiment was conducted using elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) cv. Cameroon, with the purpose of determining the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of effluent released, correlating this with levels of pressure and the quality of silage. The material with 13% of dry matter was ensiled in experimental plastic silos. The levels of pressure were: 356.67; 446.67; 531.33; 684.00 and 791.00 kg/m3. The effluent of silages with high moisture content was collected and measured during seven days. In silages with high […]

One type of commercial silo and three types of experimental silos were used for determination of chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (33.0% DM and 4.2% CP) ensiled in two different densities (400 or 600 kg of silage/m3): 1) commercial bunker silo sampled at 30 (top) and 60 (deep) cm from the top; 2) plastic silo with bulsen valve; 3) plastic bag; and 4) concrete pipe. A completely randomized design was used. The concrete pipe silo […]