The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different techniques of moisture reduction on the chemical composition, in vitro deseapperance of dry matter (IVDMD) and ruminal dry matter disappearance of the elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum), cv. Taiwan A-148 silage. The treatments (A, control, B, 20, C, 30, D, 40% of corn cobs; E, wilting by 12 h, F, wilting by 24 h; G, crushing + wilting by 24 h) were allotted to a completely randomized design with three replicates. The silage treatments B and E were not efficient to reduce the excessive moisture of the forage. The wilting by 24 h increased the DM content, without affect in the CP and IVDMD. The silage treatments C and D favor the development of clostridium population, increase the concentration of NH3-N, decreased the lactic acid concentration and IVDMD of the silage. The treatment G increased the DM content and decreased the NH3-N and IVDMD. The addition of corn cobs (treatments B, C and D) decreased the ruminal DM degradation of the silage. The corn cobs decreased the moisture, but presented negative effects on the silage quality while the wilting and/or crushing are procedures that showed good results on the preservation of the ensiled material.
silage; elephant grass; wilting
