Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of different percentages of urea or calcium oxide (CaO) on the fermentative characteristics and chemical composition of the by-product of sweet corn silage, without whole kernel corn. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, with two additives (CaO or urea) and five inclusion levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% in natural matter of by-product of sweet corn silage). There was interaction between the type of additives and addition levels (CaO or urea) for pH values (P < 0.05). The mean pH values ranged from 3.40 to 5.36 in the additive silage. For effluent production, the additive type interaction and addition levels were significant (P < 0.05). The addition of CaO independent of the level used was not effective in reducing dry matter (DM) losses during ensilage. The total losses of DM presented a significant increase with the levels of addition of CaO, varying from 91 to 177% in relation to the control silage. The addition of urea to all levels had a satisfactory effect on the total loss of DM, ranging from 38 to 69% improvement in the reduction in relation to the control silage. The additive CaO was not efficient in reducing the fermentation losses and preserving the silage. However, urea was efficient in the recovery of DM in the ensilage process.
Highlights
Chemical additives such as urea and calcium oxide (CaO) are available to promote fermentation and preservation or inhibit detrimental processes in a silo
The silos were opened, the loss of dry matter (DM) in the silage in the form of gases and effluents was quantified by gravimetry, according to techniques described by Schmidt (2006)
The mean pH values ranged from 3.40 to 5.36 in the silages with additives, where the silages treated with 1.5% and 2.0% urea in the natural material were the only ones with a pH value in the ideal range (3.8 to 4.2) for a good conservation of the ensiled forage
Summary
Chemical additives such as urea and CaO are available to promote fermentation and preservation or inhibit detrimental processes in a silo. Additives promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria. More recently bacterial inoculants are used to help natural lactic acid bacteria and lower pH. These additives work best when natural lactic acid bacteria is low as in grass silage. Enzymes are available to break down forage fiber, and ammonia and acid products are commonly used to improve ensiling. Bolsen et al (1995) used silage additives to improve fermentation and prevent the production of butyric acid in wet silage. Additives are used to reduce dry matter (DM) losses and to preserve nutrients during or after fermentation (Jaster, 1994). A better understanding of the ensiling process is needed for a producer to wisely decide upon using the additives
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