Abstract #M170

# M170
Chemical composition and kinetics of in vitro ruminal degradation of savoy grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) silage with the tropical fruit residues.
Marlene L. Medina Villacis*1, Italo F. Espinoza Guerra1, Luis F. Espinosa Delgado1, Adolfo R. Sánchez Laiño1, Miguel J. Romero Romero1, Christian A. Vallejo Torres1, Leon B. Montenegro Vivas1, 1Universidad Tecnica Estatal de Quevedo, Quevedo, Los Rios, Ecuador.

The objective of this research was to study the effect of combining 3 residues of tropical fruits (passion fruit, pineapple, and banana) with savoy grass, before silage, into the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal degradation of the silage material obtained. The forage and residues were chopped and homogenized. After that, 4 combinations were prepared: T1 = savoy grass as the only material to be ensilaged, T2 = savoy grass mixed with 15% (fresh basis) passion fruit, T3 = savoy grass mixed with 15% (fresh basis) pineapple, and T4 = savoy grass mixed with 15% (fresh basis) banana residue. The silage was ensiled in experimental mini-silos, opened after 60 d of storage and representative samples were taken. The chemical composition for DM, ash, CP, NDF, ADF, and in vitro ruminal degradation of the DM was analyzed; and the ADF of the samples were determined at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The experimental design was completely randomized with 6 replicates. The DM results did not show significant differences between treatments (P > 0.05) T1, T2, T3, and T4 (17.95, 17.04, 17.34, 16.73%); The content of ash differ (P < 0.05) in T1 (16.29%) compared with treatments T2, T3 and T4 (13.85, 14.60, and 12.96). However, the NDF and ADF contents were higher (P < 0.05) in T3, T2, and T1 (72.06 and 39.59, 70.78 and 35.63, 70.35 and 35.18%) in relation to T4 (68.3 and 32.49%). The degradation potential of the DM and NDF did not show differences between treatments (P > 0.05) T1 (59.95 and 52.61%), T2 (64.98 and 51.82%), T3 (59.99 and 52.05%) and T4 (61.41 and 61.14%), The degradation potential of the ADF present differences (P < 0.05) with T1 (43.69%) while T2, T3 and T4 (49.04, 47.84 y 46.14%. These results suggested that the combination of savoy grass with passion fruit, pineapple, and banana residues for production of the silage could be an efficient way to properly dispose of these tropical fruit residues, reducing environmental risk and contributing to the improvement of the cattle feeding.

Key Words: mini-silo, silage, degradability in vitro