Chemical composition, fermentation profile, microbial population and dry matter recovery of silages from mixtures of palisade grass and forage peanut

The study evaluated chemical composition, fermentation profile, microbial population and dry matter recovery of silages made from mixtures of palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte). The experiment was conducted and analyzed in a complete randomized factorial design using 5 levels of each forage (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% on a fresh matter basis), with and without microbial inoculant and 3 replications. The crude protein concentration increased linearly (P<0.05) and fiber concentration decreased linearly (P<0.05) as forage peanut level in silage increased. There was a positive quadratic effect (without inoculant) and positive linear effect (with inoculant) on lactic acid concentration (P<0.05) and a positive quadratic effect (P<0.05) on lactic acid bacteria population with increasing forage peanut levels in silage. The main effects of the addition of forage peanut to palisade grass at ensiling were improvement in the chemical composition and fermentation profile of the grass silage. We recommend adding 25–75% forage peanut to palisade grass prior to ensiling to improve the quality of the resulting silage but there is little merit in adding microbial inoculant to the forage at ensiling. Feeding studies with animals would verify potential benefits in production from inclusion of legume with grass at ensiling, while studies with addition of energy sources at ensiling would determine any further benefits to be achieved in silage quality.