R. Bras. Zootec.01/Aug/2003;32(4):828-33.
Nutritive value of elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) silage with different levels of coffee hulls
DOI: 10.1590/S1516-35982003000400007
One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of five levels of coffee hulls (0, 8.7, 17.4, 26.1, and 34.8 kg/100 kg of fresh forage) on the bromatologic composition and IVDMD of elephantgrass silage. Fifteen plastic silos measuring .25 of diameter x .75 of height were used. In the ensiling process the forage received a pressure of 550 kg/m³. The results showed that the percentage of dry matter increased linearly with increasing of coffee hulls. It was estimated an increasing of .54% for each unit of coffee hulls added. The pH value was inferior for silage with coffee hulls. It was estimated a minimum value of 3.78 for the level 26.87% of coffee hulls. The content of CP of the silage without coffee hulls (8.9%) was inferior to (11.1%) found in the fresh forage and silages with coffee hulls. The IVDMD value was reduced according to crescent levels of coffee hulls. It was estimated a decreasing of .14% for each unit of coffee hulls added. It is possible to conclude that the addition of coffee hulls on level of 17.4 kg of coffee hulls/100 kg of fresh forage showed be a good additive for ensiling elephantgrass with high moisture content.
Keywords: additive; agroindustrial residue; bromatologic composition; digestibility; pH