Plant density and bacterial inoculants on Canavalia brasiliensis yield and silage quality

Abstract

The use of legumes as a protein source in mixed silages presents a promising alternative for high-quality feed production. This study evaluated the potential of Canavalia brasiliensis as a forage legume through two experiments: the first tested four planting densities (166,500; 100,000; 71,500; and 55,500 plants ha-1) under dry tropical conditions, whereas the second assessed the effects of 5 % of molasses, synthetic and native microbial inoculants, as well as their combinations, on silage fermentation. The planting density did not affect the dry matter yield, although the density of 100,000 plants ha-1 showed the greatest plant height and that of 55,500 plants ha-1 the longest time to reach full ground cover. The additives and fermentation time significantly influenced the pH, soluble carbohydrates (ºBrix), microbial counts and nutritional traits. The pH remained below 5, the soluble carbohydrates above 8.9 ºBrix, and the lactic acid bacteria declined over time. The addition of molasses improved the dry matter content and digestibility. The crude protein decreased during fermentation, whereas the soluble protein increased and the acid detergent fiber decreased more than the neutral detergent fiber, especially in the inoculated treatments. The density of 55,500 plants ha-1 and the use of 5 % of molasses are recommended to optimize the forage production and silage quality under tropical conditions.

KEYWORDS: Ensiling process, forage legumes, planting density, silage additives.