Abstract 412

Ojeda,-F; Caceres,-O

Estacion Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey", Perico, Matanzas, Cuba.

Pastos-y-Forrajes. 1984, 7: 3, 409-419; 20 ref.

The effect of addition of 3.5 l formic acid, 2 kg benzoic acid, 1.5 kg salicylic acid or 40 kg molasses/t FW on intake and consumption by sheep of King grass [Pennisetum purpureum X P. americanum] silage was investigated. The grass was cut after 70 days regrowth from fertilized (60 kg N/ha cut) pastures and ensiled in silos with 0.5 m3 capacity. Data on the chemical composition of the fresh forage and silage with and without additives are presented. Intake of all silage treatments (41.92-44.03 g DM/kg W0.75) was much lower than that of fresh forage (66.44 g). Fresh forage and silage + formic acid had the highest OM (61.88-66.88%) and CP (57.21-63.53%) digestibilities, but all treatments, except silage + benzoic acid had similar high CF digestibilities (64.78-68.24%). Silage without additive had much lower CP digestibility (27.98%) than all silage + additive (38.77-57.21%) treatments. It was concluded that formic acid was a suitable additive for conservation of tropical grass silage.