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This study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of leucaena forage in sorghum: forage. In addition to pure sorghum, it was evaluated different levels of inclusion of leucaena (15, 30 and 50%) at the time of ensiling. Forage was ensiled in PVC tubes (100 mm diameter, 500 mm length) under the density of 500 – 600 kg m-3, a total of 20 silos were prepared, which were opened 35 days after ensiling. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of leucaena inclusion levels for pH, water activity (Aw) and total ammonia nitrogen (total NH3-N). There was an increasing linear effect (p < 0.05) for the content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and lignin that increased from 33.47 to 34.75%, 7.82 to 16.05% and from 7.29 to 9.93%, at the levels from 0 to 50% inclusion of leucaena, respectively. There was a decreasing linear effect (p < 0.05) for neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFcp) and hemicellulose, which reduced from 56.65 to 48.37% and from 24.07 to 17.67% at the levels of 0 and 50% inclusion, respectively. For the ash content, there was a quadratic effect (p < 0.05), with a maximum at 8.3% with 8.9% inclusion of leucaena. The inclusion of up to 50% leucaena into sorghum silage is recommended, because, in addition to maintaining the fermentation quality, it also improved nutritional quality of sorghum silage.

The objective of this study was to select sorghum genotypes for silage production. The study was carried out at Embrapa Maize & Sorghum’s experimental field. Planting was performed in randomized blocks, with three replicates and the Scott-Knott test at a 5% probability level. The material was ensilaged in laboratory silos opened after 56 days for analysis concerning fermentation and bromatological composition. Only crude protein showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), with an overall mean of 8.88%. The other variables presented significant differences (p < 0.05): pH (3.34 to 3.94); Aw (0.93 to 0.98); N-NH 3/TN (1.61 to 6.56%); green matter yield (12.05 to 34.14 t ha-1); dry matter yield (6.19 to 11.42 t ha-1); dry matter (26.89 to 49.95%); ashes (4.08 to 6.88%); neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (47.67 to 65.79%); acid detergent fiber (16.62 to 35.89%); hemicellulose:cellulose (1.07 to 2.71%); lignin (2.03 to 6.52%), digestible dry matter yield (3.70 to 7.41 t ha-1) and dry matter digestibility (56.36 to 72.67%). Based on digestible dry matter yield, the genotypes: male 201191 and hybrids 2012F47484, 2012F47515 and 2012F47525 stood out in relation to the others for showing good yielding, adequate nutritional value, with low dry matter and NDF levels coupled with high digestibility values and good fermentation patterns of the silages.

The objective of this study was to assess agronomic characteristics and nutritional values of silages of millet genotypes. Planting was done in randomized blocks, with five replicates per genotype. Green matter yield for genotypes ADR 500 and CMS 01 was higher and similar to each other, with 40.16 and 41.36 t ha (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference for dry matter yield, with the mean being 9.93 t ha (p > 0.05). The silages were similar (p > 0.05) as to pH, Aw and N-NH3/TN, presenting values of 3.92, 0.97 and 7.64%, respectively. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) concerning the bromatological composition of the silages of the different genotypes, with a mean of 30.74% of dry matter, 10.21% for crude protein and 58.69% for neutral detergent fiber (p > 0.05). The dry matter digestibility mean stood at 59.90%. Based on the nutritional values and digestibility of the millet silages, the five genotypes are suitable for silage production, with potential for the North of Minas Gerais.

This study evaluated the nutritional characteristics of hay of nineteen hybrids between sorghum and Sudan grass. The experimental design was a randomized block with nineteen treatments and three replications. The chemical characteristics of the respective hays were analyzed 52 days after sowing and 45 and 49 regrowth days. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, and when the F test was significant, the treatment means were compared by the Scott and Knott test at 5%. Genotypes 1013026 and 1014020 showed similar dry matter content. As for ether extract content, the highest values ranged from 2.20 to 2.66%. Higher values of minerals were observed in hybrids 1013026 and 1011005. In relation to crude protein, higher content values were reported for hybrids 1013021 and 1013020 (14.59 and 15.47% CP). When evaluating the neutral detergent fiber content, lower values varied between 56.05 and 57.07% for hybrids 1013016 and 1011009. Considering the content of acid detergent fiber, values ranged from 32.70 to 35.78%. Values of dry matter digestibility were higher than 50%. All hybrids provide quality hay, however the hybrid 1014019 showed the best nutritional value.

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional characteristics and quality of silages of five sorghum genotypes, namely: Volumax, AG2005E, Qualimax, BRS610 and AG2501. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm Unimontes, in the municipality of Janaúba, state of Minas Gerais. The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design with four replicates. Data were tested by analysis of variance andmeans were compared by Scott-Knott test at a significance level of 5%. The pH values ranged from 3.93 and 4.10. Genotypes differed in all studied nutritional characteristics (p < 0.05). For the acid detergent fiber, differences were detected between the genotypes, AG2501 (35.66%), Volumax (34.89%), AG2005E (34.53%), Qualimax (32.39%) and BRS610 (33.60%). The high participation of lignin was verifiedin all genotypes except for Volumax (4.14%). All silages were within the recommended range 50-65% for in vitro dry matter digestibility and classified as having good quality, however only the AG2005E genotype met nitrogen requirements for microbial fermentation, with 7.06% crude protein.

This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of 24 sorghum genotypes in four Brazilian regions and the chemical characteristics of genotypes grown in Sete Lagoas, state of Minas Gerais. Genotypes BRS655 and 12F37005 had higher average production of green matter (> 44 ton ha-1) and dry matter (> 17 ton ha-1), respectively. Genotypes 12F38019, 12F40019, 12F37005, 12F37043 and Volumax took more days to flower in three of the four municipalities (75-90 days). Genotypes 12F38006, 12F40006 and 12F37016 were taller (> 2 m). Values of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber ranged from 37.15 to 50.13; 5.51 to 10.28 and 43.57 to 65.69%, respectively. The genotypes were not different regarding acid detergent fiber content, with mean value of 34.83%. Genotypes 12F38019, 12F37016, 12F39005, 12F39019, 12F37007, 12F37014, 12F39014 and BRS 655 showed the best values of dry matter digestibility (64.31 to 74.20%) and crude protein content (8.33 to 10.28%). Among them, 12F139014 exhibited the lowest lignin content (3.32%), suggesting less effect of this fraction on digestibility. Genotype 12F39014 is the most suitable for cultivation, as it presented the best nutritional value and good dry matter production in the four municipalities.

The objective was to select sorghum genotypes for silage production using its chemical characteristics. The experiment was carried out in the facilities of Embrapa Maize and Sorghum in Sete Lagoas, state of Minas Gerais, to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, and nutritional quality of silage of twelve sorghum genotypes. We used a randomized block design with three replications. In relation to the production of green matter, the genotypes SF15 Volumax and BR610 stood out (52.07; 48.00 and 41.87 ton ha-1). Regarding pH, genotypes 1015339, 1015347, 1016007, SF15, BRS655, Volumax and BR610 averaged 3.68. All genotypes were similar considering the nutritional value, ammonia nitrogen and water activity. The genotypes SF15, Volumax and BRS610 showed the highest productivity per area, representing the best options for silage production.

This study aimed to evaluate in situ degradability and degradation kinetics of DM, NDF and ADF of silage, with or without tannin in the grains. Two isogenic lines of grain sorghum (CMS-XS 114 with tannin and CMS-XS 165 without tannin) and two sorghum hybrids (BR-700 dual purpose with tannin and BR-601 forage without tannin) were ensiled; dried and ground silage samples were placed in nylon bags and introduced through the fistulas. After incubation for 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, bags were taken for subsequent analysis of fibrous fractions. The experimental design was completely randomized with 4 replicates and 4 treatments and means compared by Tukey’s test at 5% probability. As for the DM degradation rate, silage of CMSXS165without tannin was superior. Silages of genotypes BR700 and CMSXS 114 with tannin showed the highest values of indigestible ADF (59.54 and 43.09%). Regarding the NDF, the potential degradation of silage of CMSXS165 line without tannin was superior. Tannin can reduce ruminal degradability of the dry matter and fibrous fractions.

The objective was to select from among 24 sorghum genotypes the superior ones for silage production. The study was conducted in the experimental field of Embrapa Maize & Sorghum, in the municipality of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais State. It used 24 forage sorghum genotypes, 21 being hybrids from the crossing of grain sorghum females and forage males (12F38019, 12F38006, 12F40006, 12F40005, 12F40019, 12F37016, 12F37005, 12F37043, 12F39006, 12F39005, 12F39019, 12F38005, 12F38007, 12F37007, 12F39007, 12F40007, 12F38014, 12F37014, 12F39014, 12F40014 e 12F38009) and three witnesses: BRS 610, BRS 655 and Volumax. It estimated productivity per area, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and assessed the bromatological and fermentation characteristics of sorghum silage. In vitro dry matter digestibility, unavailable protein in neutral detergent, neutral detergent fiber corrected for ashes and protein, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose and lignin differed as to the genotypes tested. The pH and the ammoniacal nitrogen of the silage also showed differences between genotypes. Most of the genotypes tested are favorable for silage production, except the hybrid with higher lignin content 12F370014, and the hybrids 12F37007 and 12F370014, which showed the highest NDFap values.