Fermentative attributes of wilted vs. unwilted <i>Digitaria eriantha</i> silage

Abstract

Silages made from directly cut or wilted Digitaria eriantha treated with or without molasses were evaluated to determine fermentative characteristics. The grass was harvested at the boot stage of growth and the material was ensiled in 1 kg mini-silos. Treatments were arranged in a factorial design of two moisture levels (directly cut or wilted) and two molasses addition (with or without molasses). Each treatment was ensiled in 12 separate bottles. The pH of molasses added silage declined faster than the pH of silage without molasses. The pH of unwilted silages continued to decline up to day 120 post ensiling compared to wilted treatments. Lactic acid concentration was higher for molasses added silage than those made without molasses at all ensiling times, and also higher for directly cut silage than those wilted prior to ensiling. In direct cut silages, acetic acid concentration was lower for molasses added silage than those made without molasses at all ensiling times. In both silages, with or without molasses, the acetic acid concentrations were significantly higher for unwilted silage than silage wilted prior to ensiling. The ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) as percentage of total nitrogen (N) was higher in unwilted silage than prior wilted silage without molasses, while in the presence of molasses the effect of wilting on NH 3 -N as percentage of total N was not significant.

The Effects of Additives in Napier Grass Silages on Chemical Composition, Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation

“…Indeed, it has been shown by Bureenok et al (2006) that the addition of the fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) to Napier grass improved the quality of the silage. In practice, molasses is widely used as an additive to enhance the process of ensiling ( Yokota et al, 1991 ; Yunas et al, 2000 ; Van Niekerk et al, 2007 ) because of its high content of WSC. However, because of economical reasons, an alternative source of readily fermentable carbohydrates is desirable.…”

The Effect of Molasses Addition as a Glucose Source on the Physic-chemical Characteristics of Elephant Grass Silage

“…Bakteri tersebut yaitu bakteri asam laktat dan Streptococcus yang hidup secara anaerob di pH 4. Proses percepatan ensilase dapat dilakukan melalui penyediaan pakan yang cukup untuk mikroba seperti sirup komersial afkir (Sadarman et al 2022), bungkil biji kapas (Viana et al 2013), molases (Fathurrohman et al 2015;Van Niekerk et al 2007), dan tepung singkong (Panditharatne et al 1986).…”