Work

Fermentability coefficient of tropical forages and fermentative profile and in vitro degradability of silages

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Our objective was to determine the fermentability coefficient (FC) of different tropical forages and the fermentative profile, chemical composition, and in vitro degradability of their silages. A randomised block design was used, with five treatments and four repetitions. The forage species studied were whole-plant maize (Zea mays), Cenchrus purpureus cv. BRS Capiaçu, Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk, and Megathyrsus maximus cv. BRS Zuri. The FC was highest (P < 0.001) in whole-plant maize, followed by BRS Capiaçu, and lowest for BRS Piatã, Basilisk, and BRS Zuri. The fibrous fraction of the plant was higher (P < 0.001) for BRS Capiaçu and lower for whole-plant maize. The pH and ammonia content were lower (P < 0.001) for maize and BRS Capiaçu silages, and higher for BRS Zuri silage. Maize silage showed the highest effective DM digestibility (P < 0.001). The BRS Capiaçu silage exhibited a higher (P = 0.009) indigestible NDF fraction. In conclusion, if whole-plant maize cannot be produced for silage, ensiling perennial grasses, such as BRS Capiaçu, BRS Piatã, and Basilisk, is recommended due to their higher ensilability compared to BRS Zuri.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-16231-x