An experiment was carried out to evaluate the chemical composition and 'in vitro' digestibility of maize silages and their respective original materials, harvested at three maturities (20, 26 and 28 % DM), and ensiled with high or low packing density in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement with six replicates. Protein and carbohydrate fractions were determined to supply mechanistic models of intake and performance predictions. Effluent was produced (61,2 liters ton-1) only in treatment with higher moisture and higher packing density. IVDMD varied from 46,2 to 57,9 %, and increased significantly with increasing DM level. IVOMD (44,5 - 54,2 %) was smaller only in 20 % DM silages. Soluble crude protein (SCP) ranged between 44,8 - 54,3 % of crude protein (CP), and NPN reached 67 - 91 % of SCP. NDIP was 16,2 - 25,1 % of CP and ADIP varied between 6,7 - 12,8 % of CP. The higher values of ADIP were obtained in silages with lower DM. Fraction A of carbohydrates varied between 5,3 - 10 % DM being significantly higher in 28 % DM silage with higher packing. B1 fraction (13,1 - 25,8 % DM) increased significantly with increasing DM content. B2 fraction (40,2 - 50,3 % DM) and were not affected with increasing DM content. Fraction C varied from 8,8 to 11,9 % DM. When silages were compared with original forages, an increasing level of ADIP and SCP, a decreasing level of NDIP and similar values for NPN as a percentage of SCP were observed, except in high packed 20 % DM silage. Within the carbohydrates fraction a decrease in fraction A content was observed for all treatments, except for the 28 % DM high packing density silage. An increasing level in B1 fraction in 26 and 28 % DM treatments, and similar values in 20 % DM were observed. The opposite was observed in B2 fraction. Fraction C increased only in 28 % DM treatments. No differences in IVDMD and IVOMD of silages were observed in relation to the original materials.
carbohydrate fractions; protein fractions; density; dry matter at harvest
