The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological and productive characteristics of five genotypes of Desmanthus spp. submitted to two cutting intensities (20 and 40 cm), in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco. Of the genotypes studied, three were derived from ecotypes collected in municipalities of Pernambuco (7G, 31D and 50J) and two were from the state of Sergipe, coming from Australia (10AU and 13AU). Four cuttings were made with a frequency of 60 days. The treatments were randomized in blocks, with split plots and three replications. The variables studied were plant height, stem diameter, canopy diameter, the number of leaves per branch, LAI, leaf yield, stem yield, pod yield and forage yield, and leaf stem -1 ratio and pod stem-1 ratio. Genotypes 7G and 31D had higher forage yield and a larger number of leaves per branch. Forage yield was higher in the intensity of 20 cm. The cuttings reduced the total yield, stem yield, pods yield and forage yield, of the different genotypes studied. For leaf stem-1 ratio, the genotype 13AU was higher than genotypes 7G and 50J in the cutting intensity of 40 cm. Genotype 10AU had the highest pod stem-1 ratios in the three cuttings. The differences shown between genotypes of Desmanthus spp., especially 7G and 31D, in the intensity of 20 cm, indicate the possibility of selecting promising materials for cultivation in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, with desirable morphological and productive characteristics to the forage plants.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of microbial inoculant and cottonseed cake on the fermentation profile, microbial population, aerobic stability, organic acids, chemical composition and losses of millet silages. The experimental design was completely randomised, in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the following treatments: (1) Control (millet); (2) Millet + 10% cottonseed cake (on a natural matter basis); (3) Millet + Weissella cibaria – heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria; (4) Millet + cottonseed cake and Weissella cibaria (blend); and two opening times (30 and 90 days after ensiling) with four replications, totalling 32 experimental units. Silages containing cottonseed cake had greater ( P = .008) dry matter recovery. There was effect ( P < .001) of the opening time on the counts of lactic acid bacteria, mould and yeast, and under aerobic stability, which were higher in silages opened at 90 days. The addition of cottonseed cake resulted in an increase in the nutritional quality of the silage, compared to control silages and silages inoculated with Weissella cibaria . The addition of cottonseed cake in millet silage proved to be efficient in reducing silage losses, improving the fermentation profile and nutritional value.

This study aimed to determine the optimal proportion of cottonseed cake (CSC) as an additive in sorghum silage to improve its chemical composition, fermentative profile, microbial populations, losses, dry matter recovery, and aerobic stability. Five treatments were evaluated, varying the inclusion of CSC at ensiling (0, 50, 100, 200, and 200 g kg ⁻¹ on fresh matter basis). The results showed that the inclusion of CSC significantly increased the content of dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract in the silages. Water‐soluble carbohydrates, buffering capacity, and ammoniacal nitrogen exhibited a linear decrease with increasing CSC inclusion. The populations of lactic acid bacteria and moulds showed a quadratic response to CSC inclusion. The yeast population was completely inhibited with a minimum inclusion of 200 g kg ⁻¹ CSC. Aerobic stability and dry matter recovery showed a linear increase with CSC inclusion. These findings indicate that adding CSC to sorghum silage enhances its nutritive value, fermentative profile, dry matter recovery, and effectively inhibits yeast growth, which is recommended to include 200 g kg ⁻¹ of CSC for good cost‐effectiveness.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and recovery of minerals in silages of sorghum cv. IPA 2502 irrigated with different leaching fractions of brackish water. Sorghum cultivation was carried out in the field in a randomised block design, with four replications and four irrigation leaching fractions (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). From the harvested plant material, five silos per treatment, with five repetitions, were arranged in a completely randomised design for ensiling. Leaching fractions did not alter the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur in sorghum. The sodium content showed a quadratic response to the leaching fractions, which was also observed for iron, manganese, and chloride. In silage, an increasing linear effect was found for nitrogen, whereas for phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, the contents were reduced with the addition of the leaching fraction. The contents of copper, iron, zinc, and chloride in silages responded in a quadratic way. The use of brackish water, especially the 15% leaching fraction, in the cultivation of sorghum enhances the mineral contents and the recovery of some macro- and micro-nutrients after the ensiling process.