Comparison of the fermentation characteristics of whole crop maize versus maize stover silages under laboratory conditions
2001
Altaf-ur-Rehman (NWFP Agricultural Univ., Peshawar (Pakistan). Dept. of Animal Nutrition)
The main objective of the study was to investigate the comparison between the fermentation characteristics of whole crop maize and maize stover silages under laboratory conditions. The experiment, with 4 replicates, involved a completely randomized design was carried out. The whole crop maize or maize stover were ensilied in 2.5 kg capacity polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe silos. No difference (P greater than 0.05) was observed between whole crop and stover silages for lactate content and pH. Whereas, whole crop, silages had higher (P less than 0.05) DM content than stover silages. All silages were well preserved as shown by pH values. Dry matter losses were very low, during ensilage. Moreover, no butyrate was detected in any silage at silo opening. It was concluded that maize stover preserved as well as whole crop maize silage. Further research is needed to ensile specially the maize stover using larger or farm scale silos for confirming the laboratory findings and also for its effective utilization in feeding ruminants.
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