RESUMO Objetivou-se através deste estudo avaliar o efeito da adição de inoculantes sobre a estabilidade aeróbia, a composição químico-bromatológica, o padrão de fermentação e o perfil microbiológico da silagem de aveia branca (Avena sativa L.). O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos foram três formas de ensilagem: aveia (A); aveia com inoculante bacteriano homofermentativo (AB); e aveia com inoculante bacteriano-enzimático (ABE). A estabilidade aeróbia foi de 9 dias para a silagem A e 14 dias para as silagens AB e ABE. O teor de carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) diminuiu (16,67 para 14,05% MS), enquanto o teor de proteína bruta (PB) não foi alterado (média de 8,98% MS) no período de aerobiose em todas as silagens. A capacidade tampão (CT) diminuiu, enquanto o pH e a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3) aumentaram no período de aerobiose em todas as silagens. Independente do período de aerobiose, a CT da silagem ABE foi maior do que a silagem A (29,67 vs. 24,80 meq/100 g MS). A contagem de bactérias ácido láticas na silagem AB (7,83 log UFC/g) foi maior do que nas silagens A e ABE (média de 5,24 log UFC/g). A silagem AB apresentou maior contagem de enterobactérias que a silagem ABE (2,49 vs. 0,76 log UFC/g). A inoculação com bactérias homofermentativas e com a enzima amilase na dose de 1×105 UFC/g não melhora a estabilidade aeróbia, a composição químico-bromatológica, o padrão de fermentação e o perfil microbiológico da silagem de aveia branca.

SUMMARY This study evaluated the addition of inoculants on the aerobic stability, nutritional value, and fermentation and microbiological profiles of white oat silages (Avena sativa L.). The trial was carried out in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replicates. The treatments consisted of three ensiling approaches: oat (O); oat with homofermentative bacterial inoculant (OB); and oat with bacterial-enzymatic inoculant (OBE). The aerobic stability was 9 days for silage O and 14 days for silages OB and OBE. The non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) decreased (16.67 to 14.05% DM) and the crude protein (CP) did not change (mean of 8.98% DM) during the aerobic exposure in all silages. The buffering capacity (BC) decreased, while pH and the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) increased during the aerobic exposure in all silages. Independent from the aerobic exposure period, BC of OBE silage was higher than O silage (29.67 vs. 24.80 meq/100 g DM). Lactic acid bacteria count in OB silage (7.83 log CFU/g) was higher than in O and OBE silages (5.24 log CFU/g, on average). Also, the OB silage showed high enterobacteria count compared to OBE silage (2.49 vs. 0.76 log CFU/g). The inoculation with Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici and amylase enzyme at the dose of 1×105 CFU/g does not improve the aerobic stability, nutritional value and the fermentation and microbiological profiles of oat silages.

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the effects of corn silage supplemented with 1-propanol or inoculated with L. buchneri on the ruminal fermentation profile, digestibility, and production traits of lactating Holstein cows. Whole-corn plants were harvested at 350 g/kg dry matter (DM) and packed in nine bag silos (13 t/silo). At ensiling, two treatments were applied: control (no additive; six silos) and L. buchneri inoculation with 1 × 105 cfu/g (three silos). Feeding started after 247 days of storage; one L. buchneri and two control silos were opened in each experimental period. Twenty-one multiparous Holstein cows (~33 kg/day of milk) were allocated to seven balanced 3 × 3 Latin squares with 21-day periods (14 days of adaptation). The experimental diets contained (DM basis): 80 g/kg cottonseed, 95 g/kg citrus pulp, 180 g/kg soybean meal, 90 g/kg corn grain (ground), 25 g/kg minerals and vitamins premix, and 530 g/kg of corn silage. Source of corn silage was the only difference between experimental treatments: control, L. buchneri, or control silage supplemented with 1-propanol (10 g/kg of diet DM). The 1-propanol was dissolved in water (1:1) and sprinkled onto the ration during mixing, immediately before each feeding. Dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and composition were not affected by treatments. Cows fed 1-propanol had greater concentrations of 1-propanol in the rumen fluid, higher concentration of glucose, and lower concentration of non-esterified fatty acids in blood plasma. Corn silage inoculated with L. buchneri at 1 × 105 cfu/g does not affect silage fermentation, ruminal fermentation profile, or milk production. Supplementation of 1-propanol at 10 g/kg affects the ruminal fermentation profile without affecting feed intake and milk production of mid-lactating dairy cows.

Biomass partitioning in forages is highly variable during plant development and with the rate of nutrient supply. This study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the tillering pattern and biomass partitioning of Mombasa grass (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça) subjected to rates of nitrogen (N) during regrowth. The treatments consisted of three weekly rates of N: control (without N supply), 25 and 50 mg dm-3 of N, which were evaluated by 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 days after defoliation. The design was of completely randomized blocks in a 3 × 6 factorial arrangement with three replicates. The number of tillers was measured and harvesting and weighting of the following morphological components were performed: leaf (leaf blades), pseudostem, stem base and root. Interaction between N rates and regrowth times was found for all variables analyzed. The N supply increased the number and weight of tiller (up to 117.3 and 167.6%, respectively), as well as the shoot dry matter yield of Mombasa grass. That effect was most significant particularly at 32 days of regrowth. Among the treatments receiving N supply, the highest N rate was more significant to leaf and shoot yield only after 6-11 days of regrowth. High N supply must be applied to Mombasa grass only after that time and the biomass harvested between 24-28 days of regrowth.