Microbial population, fermentative characteristics and dry matter recovery of mixed silage grass xaraés and stylo Campo Grande

Abstract

The population of microorganisms, the fermentative characteristics and the recovery of dry matter of silage of xaraés grass (Brachiaria brizantha) with growing levels of Styansanthes capitata x S. macrocephala (0; 25; 50; 75) and 100%), with and without microbial inoculant. The 5 x 2 factorial scheme (five proportions of Campo Grande stylos with and without inoculant) was used in the completely randomized design, with three replications. There was no effect of the interaction of levels of stylos and microbial inoculant for the studied variables, however, it was observed effect of stylos levels on pH and ammoniacal nitrogen and inoculant on dry matter recovery. The mean population of lactic acid bacteria in the silages was 6.8 log cfu/g. The values of pH and ammoniacal nitrogen decreased linearly with the increase of the stylos levels in the silage. Mean dry matter recovery was 94%. It is concluded that the use of legume together with grass for silage production improves the fermentation characteristics and provides high recovery of dry matter, however, the inoculant evaluated does not alter the fermentative characteristics of the silages.