ABSTRACT - The objective of this work was to compare the computerized monitoring of the in vitro gas production system with the in vivo and in situ methods. On the comparisons, corn silage with high/low dry matter contents, with/without inoculation, were used. The digestibility of silage with high dry matter (DM) content, with/without inoculation, did not present differences among the analyzed methods. When evaluated apart from the inoculation effect, that silage differed in vitro/gas and in situ methods; however in vivo did not differ. Nevertheless, when analyzed under the inoculation effect, only in in situ method there was no difference. No differences were found on the silage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility with high or low DM, inoculated or not, as well as in relation to pH at the end of digestion. In conclusion, the disappearing of DM and NDF determined by the residue of the in vitro/gas system was similar to the others evaluated methods.
corn silage; gas production; in situ digestion; in vitro digestion; in vivo digestion
