Evaluation of the VITAFERT inclusion in the nutritive value of Tithonia diversifolia and Pennisetum purpureum silages

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A. Morales
Rafael Rodríguez
D. Gutiérrez
A. Elías
S. Gómez
L. Sarduy

Abstract

The effect of the inclusion of four levels of VITAFERT (0; 4.5, 6.0, 8.0 %) on the nutritive value of T. diversifolia and P. purpureum (cv. Cuba CT-169) mixed silages mixed in two proportions (40:60 and 60:40 wet basis). The chemical composition of silages improved, in terms of higher crude protein and lower neutral detergent fiber, when including VITAFERT at 4.5 and 6.0 %.The analysis of in vitro gas production showed that there was interaction between the three factors in the initial and intermediate phases of the fermentation (P < 0.05). In the intermediate phase, the highest gas production at all times corresponded to 60 % T. diversifolia and 8.0 % of VITAFERT (P < 0.05). In the final phase, there was no interaction between the three factors and the individual interactions indicated that the highest gas production was obtained by ensiling 60% T. diversifolia with 8.0% VITAFERT (P < 0.001). Regarding the kinetic parameters, the treatment with 60 % of T. diversifolia and 8.0 % of VITAFERT had the highest gas production potential (94.69 ml.g-1 OMinc) and Vmax (2.58 ml.g-1 OMinch-1), although it reached Vmax later (7.46 h). It is concluded that the use of 4.5 and 6.0% of VITAFERT as a mixed silages additive of T. diversifolia and P. purpureum (v. CUBA CT-169) improved the chemical composition of silage. Likewise, the best indicators of the in vitro fermentation of mixed silages were obtained with 60 % of T. diversifolia and 8.0 % of VITAFERT.
Key words: mixed silage, in vitro gas production, fermentation

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How to Cite
Morales, A., Rodríguez, R., Gutiérrez, D., Elías, A., Gómez, S., & Sarduy, L. (2017). Evaluation of the VITAFERT inclusion in the nutritive value of Tithonia diversifolia and Pennisetum purpureum silages. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science, 50(4). Retrieved from https://cjascience.com/index.php/CJAS/article/view/666
Section
Pasture Science and other Crops

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