Crude glycerin levels in ensiling grass Tifton 85 (Cynodon dactylon): fermentative profile and nutritional value

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect and the best level of crude glycerin inclusion in grass ensiling Tifton 85 (Cynodon dactylon) on fermentative parameters and silage chemical composition. Treatments consisted of Tifton 85 grass silage (control) and silage Tifton 85 grass with four levels of inclusion of crude glycerin (1, 5, 10 and 15% inclusion in natural matter) during ensiling. A completely randomized design with four treatments more control with five replications was used. It has been found that the inclusion of 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% crude glycerin decreased by 18%, 18%, 20% and 22%, the pH value compared to the control silage (5.0), respectively. The inclusion of 15% crude glycerin in silage Tifton 85 grass increased by 4.3% in total carbohydrate, 67.4% in the ether extract and 17.7% in the total digestible nutrient content compared to control silage. The use of 15% crude glycerin in the natural field of Tifton 85 grass during ensiling enhances the fermentation profile and the nutritional characteristics of silage.