The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of the harvest time (45 or 60 days of regrowth), and enzymatic-bacterial inoculants on the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of silages from Tanzânia and Mombaça (Panicum maximum Jacq.) cultivars. Forages, cut in the different ages, were ensiled according two treatments: A - Control; B - Ensiled with enzymatic-bacterial inoculants. A completely randomized experimental design was in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (grass x inoculation x cutting ages) with three replications. The DM content of silages harvested at 60 days of regrowth showed higher values than that harvested at 45 days. The silages from 45 days of regrowth showed higher content of CP (11.9%). Forage silages, cutting age and inoculant addition did not affect the content of hemicellulose, cellulose and IVDMD, and pH and NH3-N values. Tanzaniagrass showed higher DM, NDF, ADF, lactic acid and butyric acid contents, while Mombaçagrass, CP and acetic acid contents. Enzymatic-bacterial inoculant addition showed the lowest content of DM, CP and lignin as compared to no addition. Tanzaniagrass and Mombaçagrass did not show limitations to silage process. Enzymatic-bacterial inoculant did not improve the qualitative, fermentative and nutritional characteristics of evaluated silages.
additives; cutting ages; enzymes; IVDDM; Panicum maximum; pH
