Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value and the in situ degradability of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) silages with addition of babassu meal (BaM). PVC silos with 0.25 m in diameter and 0.75 m in height were used. It was done by adopting a compression of 550 kg/m3 in a completely randomized design with five repetitions. It was found that increasing linear effect (P< 0.05) on the average content of silage DM, estimating an increase of 0.74% for each unit added. The crude protein content of the silage without BaM was lower than the fresh grass. There was a linear effect on the levels of neutral detergent fiber, with an estimated reduction of 0.17% per unit added. Acid detergent fiber and lignin showed linear response to increasing levels of BaM. Disappearance of DM was significant to the extent that the material remained in the rumen, the best disappearance values were observed in the time of 72 h for all levels of inclusion and among the levels of inclusion of 20% showed the best values of the disappearance of DM at all incubation times. The bran of babassu oil improves the nutritive value, the degradation parameters and provides better conservation of ensiled mass.

Key words: Additive, conservation, by-product, Pennisetum purpureum.