Nutritional and Fermentative Impacts of Adding Dehydrated Cashew Pseudofruit to Elephant Grass Silage

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The article evaluated the effect of different levels of dehydrated cashew pseudofruit (DCP; 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% based on natural matter) on the ensiling of Cenchrus purpureus BRS Capiaçu (Elephant grass), focusing on fermentative characteristics, nutrient composition, losses, and aerobic stability. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replicates each. Increasing DCP levels linearly increased dry matter (DM) ( p < 0.001), organic matter ( p < 0.001), crude protein ( p < 0.001), nonfiber carbohydrates ( p < 0.001), total digestible nutrients ( p < 0.001), and in vitro DM digestibility ( p = 0.001), while reducing ashes ( p < 0.001), neutral detergent fiber ( p < 0.001), and acid detergent fiber ( p = 0.018). Ether extract peaked at 26.3 g/kg with 18.5% DCP ( p = 0.487). The lowest NH 3 ‐N concentration (40.29%) ( p < 0.001) and pH (3.57) ( p < 0.001) were achieved at 40.29% and 12.5% inclusion, respectively. Buffering capacity ( p > 0.05), surface and internal temperature ( p > 0.05), and microbial populations—mold ( p = 0.947), yeasts ( p = 0.851), lactic acid bacteria ( p = 0.132), enterobacteria ( p = 0.885)—were unaffected by DCP addition. Gas and effluent losses were minimized at 19.75% DCP, with effluent decreasing by 0.62 kg/t DM per 1% DCP, and greater DM recovery (85.60%) ( p < 0.001). Silages remained stable for over 72 h. These results indicate that DCP is an effective additive for BRS Capiaçu silage, improving chemical composition, fermentative quality, and aerobic stability. Inclusion of up to 30% DCP in the DM is recommended to produce high‐quality, stable silage.

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