Production and quality of corn silage with forage and pigeon peas in a crop-livestock system

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate maize in consortium with forage in a crop-livestock system for silage production, with subsequent formation of pasture. The experimental design comprised randomized blocks, with four replications, two types of corn cultivation, intercropped with two Brachiaria species (marandu grass and convert grass), and with and without intercropping with the pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) BRS Mandarin. Dry matter productivity, the morphological composition of the corn, the botanical composition of the Brachiaria and pigeon peas, and the bromatological composition of the silage and Brachiaria were evaluated, as well as the losses caused by effluents. The consortia did not interfere with the productivity of corn for silage, and the silage from the consortium with pigeon peas exhibited a higher concentration of crude protein, demonstrating that the modality of the integrated agricultural production system of corn culture with Brachiaria and pigeon peas is an alternative to increase the protein content of the ensiled material and provide greater diversity of the remaining forage.