An experiment was conducted using elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) cv. Cameroon, with the purpose of determining the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of effluent released, correlating this with levels of pressure and the quality of silage. The material with 13% of dry matter was ensiled in experimental plastic silos. The levels of pressure were: 356.67; 446.67; 531.33; 684.00 and 791.00 kg/m³. The effluent of silages with high moisture content was collected and measured during seven days. In silages with high moisture content, for level of 356.67 kg/m³, were found proportional losses to those found in high pressure (791.00 kg/m³). In relation of minimum of total losses, the pressure more desirable was 550.00 kg/m³, in this experimental conditions. The values of DOB5 (14.596,69 mg/L), DQO (31.138,2 mg/L), DQO/DBO (2.38), pH (4.30), Mg (0.3997% DM) and Na (0.0008% DM) did not varied with pressure and number of days of collect. Content of P, K, level of ammoniacal nitrogen, total nitrogen, organic nitrogen, crude protein and total solids were influenced by pressure and number of days.
conservation; losses; moisture content; Pennisetum purpureum; pH
