This research was carried out to evaluate the nutritive value of elephant grass silages, with increasing levels of dehydrated passion fruit by-product (DPFB). Five inclusion levels were studied (0.0, 3.5, 7.0, 10.5, and 14.0%). Twenty castrated male sheep were assigned to a complete randomized design with five treatments (inclusion levels) and four replicates. The intakes of DM (DMI), CP (CPI), NDF (NDFI) and ADF (IADF) were determined, as well as the DM apparent digestibility (DMAD), CP (CPAD), NDF (NDFAD), ADF (ADFAD) and hemicellulose (HEMIAD). In addition, it was determined total digestible nutrients (TDN) and the nitrogen balance (NB). The DPFB inclusion during the elephantgrass ensiling process raised the DMI and the CPI, although there was no effect on the NDFI and ADFI. The DPFB addition also raised the DMAD, CPAD, the TDN and the NB. The NDFAD, ADFAD and the HEMIAD were not affected by the treatments. It was concluded that the DPFB addition by the time of elephantgrass ensiling is a recommended practice, increasing the energetic density, the intake and apparent digestibility of the silages.
agro industrial by-products; nitrogen balance
