Agronomic characterization of sunflower cultivars for animal feeding in tropical conditions

This study was developed to examine morpho-agronomic traits of 18 sunflower cultivars and identify superior cultivars in terms of grain yield, forage quality, or both, for animal feeding. Twenty-two morpho-agronomic traits related to plant development and architecture; earliness of maturity; grain yield (achenes); dry matter yield; and dry matter content were evaluated. Cultivars Hélio 253, Hélio 358, Embrapa 122, BRS 321, and Hélio 360 showed inflorescence at the final stage. Aguará 4 showed the lowest flowering rate, characterizing it as late-maturing. For grain yield, cultivars Charrua, Olisun 3, BRS 321, Paraíso 103CL, Paraíso 65, Aguará 6, and CF 101 are recommended, as they showed the highest achene yields (average: 1,541.67 to 2,148.81 kg.ha−1, respectively). Cultivars Charrua, Hélio 251, Olisun 3, Hélio 360, Paraíso 55, and Paraíso 103CL exhibited higher dry matter yields (9,550.93 to 11,789.91 kg ha−1) and were thus indicated for forage production. Cultivars Charrua, Olisun 3, BRS 321, Paraíso 103CL, Paraíso 65, Aguará 6, and CF 101 are recommended for grain yield, for the diet of monogastric animals; Charrua, Hélio 251, Olisun 3, Hélio 360, Paraíso 55, and Paraíso 103CL for forage yield, for ruminant feeding; and Charrua, Olisun 3, and Paraíso 103CL for both purposes.

Nutritional composition and fermentative characteristics of Massai grass silage added with licuri (Syagrus coronata) cake / Composição nutricional e características fermentativas da silagem de capim Massai adicionada com torta de licuri (Syagrus coronata)

This study evaluated the best level of inclusion of licuri cake (Syagrus coronata) in massai grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silage by chemical composition and fermentation quality of the silage. The experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of Federal University of Bahia. The treatments were composed by massai grass cut at 40 days,chopped and added at levels 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg DM-¹ of licuri cake. After mixing, the material was compressed in experimental silos, which were opened after 76 days. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and four replications. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and regression. The addition of licuri cake improve linear increase (P < 0.01) in the contents of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, total digestible nutrients, pH, NH3-N, dry matter intake,digestible dry matter and forage value index in massai grass silage There was a linear reduction in the contents of ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose and cellulose (P < 0.01). There were no differences on contents non-fibrous carbohydrates (P = 0.356) and acid detergent lignin (P = 0.432). It is recommended the inclusion of licuri cake at level of 240 g kg DM-¹ in massai silage, because provided the greatest chemical composition, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and forage value index.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou o melhor teor de inclusão da torta de licuri (Syagrus coronata) em silagem de capim massai (Megathyrsus maximus) através da composição química e qualidade de fermentação da silagem. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Os tratamentos foram compostos por capim massai cortado aos 40 dias e a adição de torta de licuri nos teores 0, 80, 160 e 240 g kg-¹ de MS. Após a mistura, o material foi conservado em silos experimentais, que foram abertos após 76 dias. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os dados foram analisados por análise de variância e regressão. A adição de torta de licuri promoveu incremento linear (P < 0,01) nos teores de matéria seca, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, nutrientes digestíveis totais, pH, N-NH3, ingestão de matéria seca, matéria seca digestível e índice de forragem da silagem de capim massai. Houve uma redução linear nos teores de cinzas, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, hemicelulose e celulose (P < 0,01). Não houve diferenças no conteúdo de carboidratos não fibrosos (P = 0,356) e lignina (P = 0,432). Recomenda-se a inclusão de 240 g kg-¹ de MS de torta de licuri em silagem massai, pois proporciona melhora na composição química, no consumo de matéria seca, na matéria seca digestível e no índice de valor de forragem.(AU)

Nutritional composition and fermentative characteristics of Massai grass silage added with licuri (Syagrus coronata) cake / Composição nutricional e características fermentativas da silagem de capim Massai adicionada com torta de licuri (Syagrus coronata)

This study evaluated the best level of inclusion of licuri cake (Syagrus coronata) in massai grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silage by chemical composition and fermentation quality of the silage. The experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of Federal University of Bahia. The treatments were composed by massai grass cut at 40 days,chopped and added at levels 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg DM-¹ of licuri cake. After mixing, the material was compressed in experimental silos, which were opened after 76 days. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and four replications. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and regression. The addition of licuri cake improve linear increase (P < 0.01) in the contents of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, total digestible nutrients, pH, NH3-N, dry matter intake,digestible dry matter and forage value index in massai grass silage There was a linear reduction in the contents of ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose and cellulose (P < 0.01). There were no differences on contents non-fibrous carbohydrates (P = 0.356) and acid detergent lignin (P = 0.432). It is recommended the inclusion of licuri cake at level of 240 g kg DM-¹ in massai silage, because provided the greatest chemical composition, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and forage value index.

Este estudo avaliou o melhor teor de inclusão da torta de licuri (Syagrus coronata) em silagem de capim massai (Megathyrsus maximus) através da composição química e qualidade de fermentação da silagem. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Os tratamentos foram compostos por capim massai cortado aos 40 dias e a adição de torta de licuri nos teores 0, 80, 160 e 240 g kg-¹ de MS. Após a mistura, o material foi conservado em silos experimentais, que foram abertos após 76 dias. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os dados foram analisados por análise de variância e regressão. A adição de torta de licuri promoveu incremento linear (P < 0,01) nos teores de matéria seca, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, nutrientes digestíveis totais, pH, N-NH3, ingestão de matéria seca, matéria seca digestível e índice de forragem da silagem de capim massai. Houve uma redução linear nos teores de cinzas, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, hemicelulose e celulose (P < 0,01). Não houve diferenças no conteúdo de carboidratos não fibrosos (P = 0,356) e lignina (P = 0,432). Recomenda-se a inclusão de 240 g kg-¹ de MS de torta de licuri em silagem massai, pois proporciona melhora na composição química, no consumo de matéria seca, na matéria seca digestível e no índice de valor de forragem.

Feeding behavior of finishing goats fed diets containing detoxified castor meal, co-product of the biodiesel industry.

An investigation was made into the feeding behavior of goats to evaluate the effects of a detoxified castor bean meal in the diet of goats. Thirty-six ½ crossbred Boer goats were used, with an average weight of 20 ± 3.2 kg. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments (diets with of 0, 100, 200, and 300 g detoxified castor bean meals/kg dry matter) and nine replicates. Castor bean meal was detoxified using calcium oxide. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, and the forage:concentrate ratio was 50:50. The feeding behavior was observed on the 17th, 45th, and 70th days of the experiment. For the evaluation of feeding behavior (feeding, idle, and rumination times), the animals were observed in 5-min intervals for 24 h. The addition of detoxified castor bean meal did not change (P > 0.05) the evaluated behavioral variables. Linear reduction was observed (P < 0.05) in the efficiencies of feeding and rumination, expressed in g dry matter/h. The variables related to the time series discretization of the feeding behavior of goats did not change (P > 0.05) with the inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal. The inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal in growing goats' diets does not change the feeding, rumination, and idle times, however, decreases intake, feeding, and rumination efficiencies of dry matter.