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ABSTRACT Several studies on the kinetics of sugarcane’s fiber digestion have been published, but, to date, no study has evaluated the influence of sugarcane rind on the digestion of fresh sugarcane by ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sugarcane components (rind and pith) on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, metabolizable energy, and sugarcane quality. A randomized block design was used in a split-plot scheme with five sugarcane genotypes [plot] (RB068027, RB058046, RB987917, RB867515, and RB855536) and three sugarcane components [sub-plot] (rind, pith, and whole cane), Each treatment consisted of four replicates. The chemical composition, in vitro gas production, in vitro digestibility, metabolizable energy, and sugarcane quality were evaluated. No interaction between components and genotypes was observed for the variables analyzed herein. Although the rind had a higher crude protein content, it showed a large amount of insoluble crude protein. The rind had higher fibrous fractions, comprising 87.33 % of the indigestible fraction of the neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The sugarcane rind showed ~ 71.20 % more lignin than the pith tissue. Further, the rind decreased by 6.5 % in vitro dry matter digestibility compared to the whole sugarcane. The in vitro NDF digestibility of the rind was 18.38 % lower than the whole sugarcane. The RB068027 genotype showed the lowest sugarcane quality. Despite the higher content of potentially digestible neutral detergent fiber (pdNDF) in the rind, its high lignin content influences the quality of the final fibrous fractions of sugarcane and negatively impacts the nutritional value. The genotypes do not differ nutritionally, but RB855536 presented higher biomass and energy yields.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the biometric measurements and nutrient contents of the corn, sorghum, and pearl millet crops from 30 days after sowing up to ensiling time. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, in which the three crops were evaluated with eight replicates. Stem height and diameter and leaf length and width were measured to determine plant growth. In addition, samples were collected to evaluate plant chemical composition. For the characterization of nutrient accumulation and biometric evaluation, linear and nonlinear models were used. Dry matter accumulation did not differ between corn and sorghum, but decreased in pearl millet from the fiftieth day up to ensiling. Crude protein, ashes, and neutral detergent fiber tend to reduce over time. The biometric variables do not differ between corn, pearl millet, and sorghum from 30 days after sowing until ensiling time.

ABSTRACT The study aimed to nutritionally evaluate the silage of pineapple crop waste in sheep feeding in different planes of nutrition (L). We used eight growing sheep and four male castrated adults, in individual metabolic cages distributed in a switch-back design with two treatments and three periods. The treatments were the different planes of nutrition: L = MEI⁄Mm, MEI⁄1.5Mm, and MEI⁄2.5Mm, in which L = MEI/Mm, MEI is the energy amount of the feed intake and Mm is the maintenance. We performed a digestibility trial of the diet composed of silage of pineapple crop waste, ground corn, and soybean meal. Data were analyzed using regression analysis. Nutrient intake behaved linearly according to the increase in the L, except for organic matter, which presented a quadratic behavior. Planes of nutrition did not affect protein and fiber digestible fractions. However, digestible fractions of fat and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) increased with L. The indigestible fractions displayed a quadratic behavior with an increase in the L. Regarding the microbial synthesis efficiency, we observed a linear decrease with the increase in L. Thus, the silage of pineapple crop waste is a feed very rich in NFC. Besides, silage of pineapple crop waste presented a good alternative roughage during forage shortages. Diet inclusion of 2.5x the maintenance does not compromise the sheep performance.