Nutritional and fermentative profile of forage sorghum irrigated with saline water

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and fermentative potential of silage of the forage sorghum Ponta Negra irrigated with saline water. The bromatological characteristics, losses and fermentative profile of sorghum silages were observed. For the bromatological characteristics of the sorghum plant, a decreasing linear behavior was observed for the contents of dry matter and organic matter while a positive linear effect was verified for crude protein and mineral matter as the leaching fractions were increased (P < 0.05). A quadratic behavior was observed for non-fibrous carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and cellulose (P < 0.05). The pH values showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) with lower pH values observed at 15 days of silo opening for water depths of 10 and 15%. Regarding the silages, the leaching fractions provided differences (P < 0.05) for dry matter recovery, gas loss and effluent loss. A negative linear behavior for the contents of dry matter and organic matter and an increasing linear effect for mineral matter (P < 0.05). The highest concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen were observed when irrigation was performed with a 10% saline water depth (P < 0.05).