The objective ofthis study was to evaluate the nutritive value of elephant grass (Pennisetumpurpureum, Schum.) silages with the addition of 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% driedcashew stalk (Anacardium occidentale L.) - DCS, based on the fresh matter.A randomized complete design with four replications was used. Twenty 210 L plasticdrums were used as experimental silos. The levels were determined of the drymatter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergentfiber (ADF), hemicellulose, ether extract (EE), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrouscarbohydrates (NFC), neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN,% total N),acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN, % total N), pH values, ammonia nitrogen(in percentage of the total nitrogen, N-NH3, % total N), lactic acid,acetic acid, butyric acid and propionic acid. Adding DCS resulted in highervalues of DM, CP, EE, NFC, NDIN (% total N), ADIN (% total N), pH, lactic acidand propionic acid. On the other hand, with increasing DCS levels, a lineardecline was observed in values of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, ammonia nitrogen(% total N) and butyric acid. DCS did not show effect on the TC and acetic acidin the silages. As a result, up to 16% dehydrated cashew stalk may be addedto elephant-grass silages, based on the fresh matter, to increase CP and NFClevels and decrease NDF and ADF and improve the fermentation patterns. It shouldbe taken into account that higher NDIN and ADIN values may interfere in nitrogenavailability and therefore in further DM intake.
