Capim elefante e titônia para produção de silagem na região do Alto Paraná da Argentina

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the proportions of titonia (Tithonia diversifolia) in elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus, cv Panama) silage, as well as the productive aspects of these two forage species. The work was carried out in two stages, the first in June 2021 and a second stage between June 2022 and May 2023. The design used was entirely randomized. The chemical composition of the silage was evaluated in function of different proportions of titonia in elephant grass silage (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of natural matter) over two years, using three replications (experimental silos/year). Forage production, morphological and chemical composition of the plants was carried out in nine replicate areas (2.0 m linear) for each species, in three cuts. The experimental area used was 2,000 m2, where the elephant grass and titonia consortium was established in 2020. The area contained three strips with three rows of titonia. Between the titonia strips there were rows of elephant grass. The titonia was planted with 0.5 m between plants and 1.2 m between rows. Elephant grass was planted at 0.7 m between plants and 1.4 m between rows. Productive aspects were assessed on three dates (Jun/2022, Dec/2022 and May/2023). Cuts were made at the reproductive stage of titonia and at the vegetative stage of elephant grass. Elephant grass had higher forage production per cut and total forage production than titonia (P < 0.05). In turn, titonia had a higher proportion of stems and inflorescences, while elephant grass had a higher proportion of leaves. Elephant grass had lower dry matter and crude protein content, pH and in vitro dry matter digestibility. On the other hand, elephant grass had the highest contents of mineral matter, neutral and acid detergent fiber. The inclusion of titonia increased the pH and crude protein content of the silage and reduced the mineral matter and neutral detergent fiber content of the silage. The dry matter content of the silage decreased in the second year as the proportion of titanium increased, while it did not change in the first year. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter increased as the proportion of titanium in the silage rose. Elephant grass produces more forage than titony in the Alto Paraná region of Argentina. Titonia has a better nutritional value than elephant grass. Increasing the proportion of titonia in elephant grass silage improves the nutritional value of the silage.