Abstract

CARDENAS MEDINA, J. V.; MATU SANSORES, F. J.; MENA ARCEO, D.  and  RAMOS TREJO, O. S.. Quality evaluation of mixed silage of maize (Zea mays) and forage tree species (Leucaena leucocephala and Brosimum alicastrum). Revista bio ciencias [online]. 2020, vol.7, e730.  Epub Nov 18, 2020. ISSN 2007-3380.  https://doi.org/10.15741/revbio.07.e730.

The effect of adding fodder tree species (Leucaena leucocephala y Brosimum alicastrum), in maize silage quality (Zea mays) was evaluated. The fodder trees were included at 15, 30 and 45 %, the corn silage alone was considered as control. Laboratory microsilos (1.8 L) were used, and opened on day 60, to determine chemical composition and fermentation characteristics. Average chemical composition was 7.7 ± 2.2, 53.7 ± 1.2 and 36.4 ± 3.1 for CP, NDF and ADF, significant differences (p<0.05) were found for CP and ADF, by the effect of the fodder tree addition level. Fermentative characteristics were 3.9 ± 0.3, 4.0 ± 1.0 and 10.4 ± 2.9, for pH, LA and N-NH3/TN, respectively, significant differences (p<0.05) in pH and LA by the effect of the fodder tree addition level were found, and in the content of N-NH3/TN by the effect of the fodder tree species and the addition percentage. Mixed silage (grass + fodder tree) could be an option to increase nutrient content in ruminant diets in the tropic.

Keywords : Silage; fodder tree; quality; ruminant.

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