ASPECTOS DA PRODUÇÃO E QUALIDADE DA SILAGEM DE MILHO CONSORCIADO À LEGUMINOSA

Abstract

The intercropping of corn with legumes for silage production is used as an alternative to improve the protein content in corn silage and enable the conservation of forage legumes in the form of silage. Therefore, studies have focused on testing the species and evaluating their participation in the total biomass. The objective of this review of the national literature was to evaluate the feasibility of using the intercropping of corn and legumes in commercial crops for silage production. Several legumes have already been tested, including Soybean (Glycine max), Stylosantes, Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), Crotalaria (Crotalárias sp.) and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Literature results show that intercropped silages, when compared to corn silages, have a higher crude protein content without, however, improving the production of dry mass per hectare. The low participation of the legume in the consortium has led to inconclusive studies on the feasibility of its use in the production of silage. Limitations such as low dry matter content in the silage, high fiber content, suppression in the development of intercropped crops, etiolation, competition and reduction in total biomass are reported as the participation of the legume increases. The legume has the ability to improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation and promote nutrient cycling. Due to the low number of studies in the area and the lack of standardization, it is not yet possible to establish the necessary criteria for the intercropping of corn with legume for silage production.