The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different compaction degrees, inclusion of absorbent additive and wilting on the chemical composition of tanzania grass silages. The experiment was conducted using tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia I) harvested at 60-65 days of growth. The forage was ensiled in experimental PVC silos fitted with Bunsen type valves, with capacity for about 4 and 8 kg each. The treatments consisted of three types of silages (control, 5% of citric pulp and pre-wilted) with five compaction degrees (400, 500, 600, 700 and 900 kg/m³). The experimental design was random blocks, with four replicates. Citric pulp and pre-wilting increased the dry matter content of tanzania grass silages. The increased density resulted into decreases in the pH values and amoniacal-N contents; the greatest densities resulted in pH values within the ideal range. The presence of citric pulp and the pre-wilting practice reduce the losses by effluent and gas relative to the control. As the density increased, the amount of effluent increased in the control silage and decreased in silages with citric pulp.
citric pulp; density; handling practices; Panicum maximum; pre-wilting
