Produção e ensilagem de capim-sudão cultivar BRS Estribo

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production and bromatological composition of Sudan grass Sorghum sudanense L. ‘BRS Estribo’ silage was subjected to different cutting heights (60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 cm) and storage periods (60 and 120 days). The experimental design included randomized blocks with four replications. Before ensiling, the plants were characterized in terms of production. The pH, ensilage loss, and chemical composition were evaluated. The increase in cutting height increased dry matter production (1392.9–6512.4 kg ha-1) and forage accumulation (62.4–141.8 kg ha-1), and neutral detergent fiber content (63.67–76.70 g/100 g of dry matter). There was a linear reduction of 44.09% in crude protein and 7.48% in total digestible nutrients with cuts from 60 to 180 cm. The elevation of harvest height up to 180 cm reduced the pH and gases to 4.07% and 6.50%, respectively. The Sudan grass cultivar BRS Estribo silage stored for 60 days has higher nutritional quality, and the 180 cm cut demonstrates higher production associated with adequate pH values and chemical composition.