The aim of this study was to check on the effect of additive addition on the variations in the water soluble carbohydrate contents of the tanzaniagrass silage during the fermentation period, and to know the buffering capacity values and water soluble carbohydrate: buffering capacity ratio of this forage. Tanzaniagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia I) was established in a Clavey Red Dusk Latosol and harvested at 60-65 day of age. The forage was ensiled in experimental PVC silos, fitted with Type Bunsen valves, with a capacity of about 3 kg each. The treatments consisted of four doses (3, 6, 9 and 12%) of three additives (citrus pulp, wheat meal and corn meal), plus one check without additives and 8 times of silo opening (0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days) building up a factorial scheme with an additional treatment [(3 x 4) + 1] x 8 with 3 replicates. The experiment was run in a completely randomized block design. Water soluble carbohydrate content of tanzaniagrass at 60-65 days of age was low and all of it was consumed during the fermentation process, regardless of additive treatments. All three additives, mainly the citrus pulp, favored the water-soluble carbohydrate contents and buffering capacity of the silages. An increase of the water soluble-carbohydrate: buffering capacity ratio contributes to the yield of better quality silage by assisting in the fermentation process.
citrus pulp; corn meal; silo; wheat meal
