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Fermentative characteristics, losses and nutritive value of cactus pear varieties silages containing levels of Leucaena hay

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 November 2025

Roberto Sobral Felix ,
Valdson José da Silva Open the ORCID record for Valdson José da Silva [Opens in a new window] ,
Alexandre Carneiro Leão Mello ,
Adriana Guim ,
Djalma Cordeiro Santos ,
Jorge Vinícius Fernandes Lima Cavalcanti ,
Márcio Vieira da Cunha ,
Mércia Virginia Ferreira dos Santos  and
Jose Carlos Batista Dubeux Júnior
Roberto Sobral Felix
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Valdson José da Silva*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Alexandre Carneiro Leão Mello
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Djalma Cordeiro Santos
Affiliation:
Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco (IPA), Arcoverde, Pernambuco, Brazil
Jorge Vinícius Fernandes Lima Cavalcanti
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Márcio Vieira da Cunha
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Mércia Virginia Ferreira dos Santos
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Jose Carlos Batista Dubeux Júnior
Affiliation:
North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL, EUA
*
Corresponding author: Valdson José da Silva; Email: valdson.silva@ufrpe.br
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Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics, losses, aerobic stability and nutritive value of the silage of three cultivars of cactus pear {‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ – OEM (Opuntia sp.), ‘IPA Sertânia’ and ‘Miúda’ [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck.]} mixed with three levels of inclusion of Leucaena [Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit] hay (0, 15 and 30%). The design was completely randomized in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, corresponding to cactus pear varieties and Leucaena hay levels, with four replications. Gas and effluent losses, pH, organic acids, aerobic stability and nutritional value of silages were evaluated. The silages of the cultivar OEM without the inclusion of Leucaena hay had a higher pH (4.95) compared to Miúda (4.11) and IPA Sertânia (4.17). The aerobic stability was maintained for more than 60h after opening the silos. The inclusion of Leucaena hay (up to 30%) increased the pH and reduced losses by effluents without compromising the fermentative characteristics of the silages, indicated by the predominance of lactic acid (93 g/kg).

Keywords

Dry matter recoveryensilingfermentative profileforage cactus

Information

Type
Silage Research Paper
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 163 , Issue 6 , December 2025 , pp. 706 - 716
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© The Author(s), 2025 Published by Cambridge University Press

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