Evaluation and acceptance of Cucurbita argyrosperma silages with Leucaena leucocephala and urea in cattle
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| Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | artículo original |
| Status: | Versión publicada |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Description: | The study, conducted in the state of Campeche, Mexico, aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of Chihua squash (Cucurbita argyrosperma) silages supplemented with urea and Leucaena leucocephala foliage, as well as their consumption preference by cattle. Four treatments were analyzed: T0 (control, consisting of chihua squash residue and hay), T1 (Chihua squash residue, hay, and Leucaena leucocephala foliage), T2 (Chihua squash residue, hay, and urea), and T3 (Chihua squash residue, hay, Leucaena leucocephala foliage, and urea). The physicochemical evaluation included measurements of temperature, pH, and dry matter (DM) content, while the organoleptic evaluation considered odor, texture, moisture, and color. Additionally, consumption preference was assessed using three male bulls. T1 presented the highest temperature (23.7 °C) compared to T0 (22.8 °C). However, T1 and T3 showed a pH above 6. All silages had DM contents between 32% and 36%. Regarding the organoleptic evaluation, the best-rated treatments were T0, followed by T1, while T2 received the lowest rating. In the preference test, T1 was almost entirely consumed, whereas T2 had minimal intake. The results indicate that adding Leucaena leucocephala foliage to Chihua squash silages improves their physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics, in addition to increasing cattle acceptance. |
| Country: | Portal de Revistas UCR |
| Institution: | Universidad de Costa Rica |
| Repositorio: | Portal de Revistas UCR |
| Language: | Español |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:portal.ucr.ac.cr:article/64713 |
| Online Access: | https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/nutrianimal/article/view/64713 |
| Keyword: | Residuo de cosechas ensilaje nitrógeno no proteico leguminosa forrajera rumiante Crop residues silage non-proteic nitrogen forage leguminous ruminant |