Influence of selected fibrolytic enzymes on the ensiling characteristics and in vitro rumen degradation of maize silage

Abstract

Selected fibrolytic enzyme preparations applied at ensiling have been shown to reduce the fibre contents and to increase the initial rate of in vitro organic matter degradation (OMD) of maize silage (Colombatto et al., 2001). However, there is little information on changes in the fibre content of maize forage during the ensiling process, as affected by enzyme addition. The present study examined the effects of characterised enzyme preparations (Colombatto et al., 2000), derived from mesophilic and thermophilic fungal sources applied at ensiling, on the quality and in vitro rumen degradation characteristics of maize silage, as assessed using the Reading Pressure Technique (RPT, Mauricio et al., 1999).