Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Ciência Rural, 2(45), p. 298-303, 2015
DOI: 10.1590/0103-8478cr20131532
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This study aimed to assess the fermentation profile, losses and chemical composition of the silages of five sorghum cultivars. A completely randomized design with five replicates was used. The experimental treatments were represented by five sorghum cultivars (Sorghum bicolor (L). Moench): 'BRS Ponta Negra' , 'BRS 610', 'BRS 655', 'BRS 800' and 'BRS 810'. There was variation (P<0.05) for the pH in the cultivars studied, with highest result of pH by 'BRS 610'. The average percentages of lactic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid, differed (P<0.05) among the cultivars, ranging from 32.9 to 59.5, 19.8 to 39.8, and 0.0 to 1.3g kg-1, respectively. The dry matter recovery varied among cultivars (P<0.05), allowing the identification of BRS Ponta Negra, and 'BRS 810' silages, as those which recovered the lowest dry matter, with values of 757.1 and 776.1g kg-1, respectively. There were differences (P<0.05) for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total carbohydrates contents among the cultivars. It was concluded that, despite the morphological and chemical differences among cultivars, the resulting silages had good fermentation profile.