In general, forage grasses harvested at younger development stage present low contents of DM that associated to the low content of soluble carbohydrates, can harm the fermentation harming the final quality of the silage. Thus, it is indispensable to adopt procedures which modify this picture such as the use of additives. This work aimed to evaluate the fermentation of Tanzania grass silages with additives in relation to the ammonia-N content and pH, and among these additives, to determine which of them and what dose confers the best qualities to the produced silage. The experiment was carried out in the Animal Science Department of UFLA by utilizing tanzaniagrass (Panicum maxium Jacq. cv. Tanzania I) established in a Clayey Dusky red Latosol and harvested at 60-65 days of growth. The forage was ensiled in experimental PVC silos, adapted with valves type Bunsen with capacity of about 3 kg each. The treatments consisted of three additives (citrus pulp, wheat meal and corn meal) in four doses (3, 6, 9 and 12%) plus one without additives and 8 times of silo opening (0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days). The experimental design utilized was randomized blocks, constituing a factorial scheme with additional treatment [(3x4) + 1] x 8 with 3 replicates. The addition of citrus pulp, wheat meal and corn meal improves the fermentative characteristics of the tanzaniagrass silage. The silages without additives present values of pH and ammonia-N characteristics of a satisfactory quality silage but the use of additives is recommended to prevent losses.
Citrus pulp; corn meal; Panicum maximum; wheat meal
