Inclusion of Tithonia diversifolia in Silages of Elephant Grass cv. BRS Capiaçu

This study evaluated the effects of including Tithonia diversifolia in the ensiling process of elephant grass cv. BRS Capiaçu, with and without wilting, on fermentation losses, microbiology, aerobic stability, and the chemical composition of the silages. A randomized complete block design was used, with six treatments and five replicates, totaling 30 experimental units. The treatments were: (i) fresh Capiaçu (FC); (ii) fresh Capiaçu + 10% T. diversifolia (FC + 10% TD); (iii) fresh Capiaçu + 20% T. diversifolia (FC + 20% TD); (iv) wilted Capiaçu (WC); (v) wilted Capiaçu + 10% T. diversifolia (WC + 10% TD); and (vi) wilted Capiaçu + 20% T. diversifolia (WC + 20% TD). The forages were chopped to a theoretical particle size of 10 mm, weighed individually, ensiled, and stored for 117 days at room temperature (±24.5°C). The inclusion of Tithonia diversifolia increased dry matter (up to 17.5%), crude protein (up to 8.4%), acetic acid content (up to 3.58%), and aerobic stability (average of 116 h). Silages containing 20% Tithonia stood out, as they remained stable for 240 h. However, treatments with Tithonia combined with wilted Capiaçu resulted in total dry matter losses of nearly 30%. The lactic acid bacteria population was higher in fresh silage containing 20% Tithonia , due to greater substrate availability. The inclusion of 20% Tithonia diversifolia in the ensiling process of wilted BRS Capiaçu grass is recommended to obtain a protein‐rich and stable silage, despite the increase in fermentation losses.