Potencial do uso de palma forrageira e espécies tropicais na forma de silagens em dietas para ovinos

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the potential of the use of forage palm and tropical species in the form of silages in diets for sheep, through determination of nutrient performance, intake and digestibility, water intake and ingestive behavior. A total of 40 crossbred lambs with initial body weight of 22.75 ± 1.01 kg were distributed in five treatments in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. Five treatments consisted of exclusive palm silage (SP), palm associated with buffel grass (SPB), gliricidia (SPG), pornunça (SPP) and exclusive corn silage (SM), with wheat bran meal , soybean meal, corn bran, urea and mineral. The SPG diet presented higher intake (P<0.05) for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). The consumption of MS in body weight (CP) was higher (P = 0.001) for the SPB and SPG diets with values of 4.31 and 4.19%, respectively. SM showed lower consumption of crude protein (CP). Ethereal extract (EE) had higher consumption for SPG and SM. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) obtained lower consumption in the SP diet. The non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) showed higher consumption in SP and SPG treatments, the consumption of NDF in% PC and g/kg PC0.75 were lower for SP. The digestibility of the SP diet was lower in the DM, OM, CP and NDF variables. The digestibility of the NFC was higher for SPG and for the EE the diet with SM was superior. The N ingested in g/dayand g/kg0.75, absorbed in g/day and g/kg0.75 and nitrogen balance in percentage, g/day and g/kg0.75 was lower (P <0.05) for diet with SM. Faeces N presented higher excretion for SPP, for N lost in urine, SPB presented higher excretion. There was a difference (P <0.05) in total and daily weight gain with superior results in SPG and SP. Feed conversion was lower (P=0.001) for SPB. In the water performance the variables of water consumption via drinking water, food, metabolic water, total water consumption, as well as water lost in urine, total water excretion and total water excretion on metabolic weight had an effect (P<0,05), water excreted in the faeces and water balance did not show effect (P> 0.05), the results demonstrate that the forage palm assists in the animal decedentation, providing water via food. The evaluation of the presence of crystals and their frequency showed a greater accumulation of crystals in the treatments with the presence of the forage palm and thus demanding greater attention in the formulation of diets with the presence of the palm. There was no difference (P>0.05) when the water use efficiency was evaluated in relation to dry matter, organic matter and total weight gain. In the water use efficiency in relation to the consumption of neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients presented differences (P<0.05), the palm silage diets associated with pork and buffel, together with the diet with silage maize were more efficient (P<0.05), thus, water intake in higher volume via food did not affect animal performance. There was no effect (P=0,429) on feeding time, however, the palm silage presented lower (P=0.015) rumination and higher time (P=0.044) leisure time. Evaluating chewing, corn silage presented lower (P<0.05) number per cake, time and total chewing, which resulted in lower (P<0.05) consumption in grams per day and longer time per kilo, besides of lower mass per chewy custard. Considering the feeding and rumination efficiency for dry matter rumination for neutral detergent fiber in (g/hour), corn silage had lower (P<0.05) efficiency. There was no difference (P=0.116) in the efficiency of the neutral detergent fiber for feed. Diets with palm associated with gliricidia, pork and buffelgrass provided gains superior to those recommended, demonstrating efficiency in animal production and as a strategic food reserve for water, and it could be recommended for the confinement of sheep with gains greater than 200g per day. The diet containing palm and gliricid provided higher gains and water consumption through food, demonstrating greater productive potential.