PRODUCTION EVALUATION OF DRY MATTER, MINERAL COMPOSITION AND SILAGE OF GRASS MILLET (Pennisetum americanum)

Abstract

For evaluate the dry matter production, the mineral composition and the silage quality of grass millet, it was carried out a field experiment using a design in randomized blocks with three replications and nine treatments. Ninety-three days after the emergence, the ensilage of fodder was made. The dry matter production presented a variation of 3.6 to 10.2 t/ha. In fresh fodder the concentration of macronutrients was: N = 1.54 to 1.96%; P = 0.11 to 0.21%; K =1.10 to 3.63%; Ca = 0.12 to 0.27% and Mg = 0.07 to 0.17%. The concentration in the silage was: N = 1.13 to 2.13%; P = 0.09 to 0.22%; K = 1.53 to 3.40%; Ca = 0.09 to 0.23% and Mg = 0.09 to 0.21%. The pH ranged 3.74 to 4.35 so the silage can be classified of excellent quality.