Silage quality of sorghum and Urochloa brizantha cultivars monocropped or intercropped in different planting systems

Abstract

Recently it has emerged a technique for silage production of intercropping systems of annual crop with forage through crop-livestock integration, aiming to reduce the deficit forage in the offseason. The study was conducted to evaluate the fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of silage of sorghum and Urochloa brizantha cultivars monocropped or intercropped in different planting systems. The experiment was a randomized block design, with three replications, in a 3x2+4 factorial arrangement, with three cultivars of Urochloa brizantha (Marandu; Xaraes and Piata) intercropped with grain sorghum in two planting systems (row and between rows) and four monocrops (Sorghum, Marandu palisadegrass, Xaraes palisadegrass and Piata palisadegrass). The planting system of intercropping systems did not interfere with fermentation characteristics and chemical composition of silages. The same was found for Urochloa cultivars. Silages from intercropping sorghum with Urochloa brizantha cultivars had lower pH values, buffering capacity, acetic and butyric acids and higher values of lactic acid, besides showed superior quality, as for the parameters dry matter, ether extract and total digestible nutrient than silages from grasses produced in monocropping system. Therefore, silages of intercropping systems ensure fermentation and nutritional quality, providing interesting supplementary bulky options to be used in the offseason for feeding animals.