VALOR NUTRITIVO DA SILAGEM MISTA DE MILHO E FEIJÃO GUANDU

Abstract

Tropical legumes have been used to make mixed silages for the nutritional enrichment of silages. In this context, the inclusion of adequate levels of pigeonpea in mixed corn silages can increase the nutritive value without compromising the fermentative profile of the silage. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the nutritional quality of corn silage combined with increasing levels of pigeonpea. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with four replications. The treatments consisted of corn silage with six levels of pigeonpea (0; 20; 40; 60, 80 and 100%), totaling 24 experimental silos. The maize hybrid used was the B 2800 PWU (early cycle and high grain yield potential) and the pigeonpea was the Cajanus cajan cv. BRS Mandarin. For ensilage, corn was harvested when it reached 335.7 g kg-1 DM (dry matter) and pigeonpea in the 100-day development cycle, with 281.3 g kg-¹ DM. The addition of increasing levels of pigeonpea to corn silage reduced the contents of Dry Matter, Ethereal Extract, In Vitro Digestibility of Dry Matter and Total Digestible Nutrients, however, promoted an increase in the contents of Crude Protein, Fiber in Neutral Detergent, Fiber in Acid and Lignin Detergent. Therefore, levels of up to 60% can be used without compromising the quality of the silage. Mixed silages of maize and pigeonpea, combined at adequate levels, become a viable alternative to increase the nutritional value of the silage and contribute to reducing the cost of acquiring protein salts and/or concentrates, aiming at providing protein in the feed of ruminants.