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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 75(5)

Evaluation of strategies to improve the quality of Tanzania grass (Megathyrsus maximum) silage with increasing levels of mata-pasto hay (Senna obtusifolia)

Rosane C. Rodrigues https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8561-9678 A * , Bruno Eduardo Caxias Miranda A , Edson Mauro Santos B , Francisco Naysson de Sousa Santos https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6968-1738 A , Eduarda Castro Silva A , Dilier Olivera-Viciedo C , Anderson de Moura Zanine https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0100-3652 A , Raphael Ramos Silva A , Antonio Marcos da Penha Santos A , Izakiel Reis Marinho A and Maciel Costa Teixeira A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha, Maranhão 65500-000, Brazil.

B Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba 65700-000, Brazil.

C Institute of Agrifood, Animals and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de O’Higgins, San Fernando, Chile.

* Correspondence to: rosanerodrig@gmail.com

Handling Editor: Christian Huyghe

Crop & Pasture Science 75, CP23125 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP23125
Submitted: 20 June 2023  Accepted: 22 April 2024  Published: 13 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Seasonal variations between the rain and dry seasons are the main obstacle to agricultural productivity in tropical regions, making it essential to conserve surplus for periods of scarcity. One of the limiting factors in ensiling grasses is moisture, requiring the use of additives or withering. Using a mixture of grasses and legumes can be an alternative to balance the advantages and disadvantages of both in the ensiling process, and mata-pasto hay (MPH) can be an option.

Aims

This study evaluated different forms of Tanzania grass (Megathyrsus maximum) and MPH silages, as well as silages with increasing levels of MPH.

Methods

Silages of Tanzania grass and MPH in their natural form, as well as silages with increasing doses of MPH, were evaluated for nutritional value, degradability in situ. The microbiology was also evaluated.

Key results

Among the types of silages, natural MPH and wilted MPH were superior to natural Tanzania grass silage. The use of MPH in Tanzania grass silages improves fermentation processes, the population of beneficial microorganisms, resulting in better nutritional value of these silages.

Conclusions

Natural and wilted MPH hay silages are qualitatively better compared to natural Tanzania grass silage. Increasing doses of MPH improve the quality of the silage. A recommended dose is 30% of MPH hay.

Implications

Adding MPH to silages is a way to reduce the negative impacts of this weed on pastures. However, further studies with the use of complementary additives are needed.

Keywords: Chemical composition, degradability, fungus, lactic acid bacteria, Megathyrsum, microorganism, Senna obtusifolia, yeast.

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