Effects of wilting, formol, formic acid and "Viher" solution on Mineiro and Vruckwona cultivars silage quality of elephant-grass.

Abstract

The elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) Mineiro and Vruckwona cultivars were cut at 75 days of age and ensiled in metal drums and submitted to four treatments: 1. Wilting under the sun for eight hours; 2. Additíon of 0.5% formol (40% formaldehyde) to the fresh and chopped material; 3. Addition of 0.5% formic acid (85%); and 4. Addition of 0.2% "Viher" solution 70% formol + 26% formic acid + 4% water). The soluble carbohydrate levels were enough to produce latic silages with low pH, and acetic and butyric acids when the adopted treatment was wilting. In both cultivars of elephant grass  ensilage, cut at 75 days of age, it was necessary to increase the "Viher" solution concentration to obtain better quality silages.