The effect of biological and chemical additives on the chemical composition and fermentation process of Dactylis glomerata silage

Jhonny E Alba-Mejía,Jiří Skládanka,Pavel Knot,Miroslav Klíma,Alois Hilgert-Delgado,Pavel Horký,Petr Doležal

doi:10.5424/sjar/2016142-8040

Jhonny E Alba-Mejía, Jiří Skládanka + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2016142-8040

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Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition, silage quality and ensilability of ten cocksfoot cultivars using biological and chemical silage additives. The plant material was harvested from the first and second cut, cultivated at the Research Station of Fodder Crops in Vatín, Czech Republic. Wilted forage was chopped and ensiled in mini-silos with 3 replicates per treatment. The treatments were: 1) without additives, used as a control; 2) with bacterial inoculants; and 3) with chemical preservatives. The results indicated that the year factor (2012-2013) influenced significantly the chemical composition of the silage in both cuts. The use of biological inoculants reduced the content of crude fibre and acid detergent fibre; but it did not influence the content of neutral detergent fibre, in comparison with the control silage in both cuts. Furthermore, the application of biological inoculants reduced the concentration of lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA) in contrast to the control silage in the first cut. Moreover, in the second cut the same values tended to be the opposite. Interestingly, ‘Amera’ was the unique variety that presented a high concentration of butyric acid (0.2%) in comparison with other varieties in the first cut. In conclusion, the biological inoculants had a favourable effect on silage fermentation. Notably, only ‘Greenly’ and ‘Starly’ varieties from the first cut; and ‘Greenly’, ‘Sw-Luxor’, and ‘Otello’ varieties from the second cut were appropriate for ensiling because their pH-values; LA and AA concentrations were ideal according to the parameters of the fermentation process.

Highlights

Cocksfoot is a long-lived, perennial grass with excellent regrowth characteristics and adaptability to various environmental conditions (Sanada et al, 2010)
The use of biological inoculants reduced the content of crude fibre and acid detergent fibre; but it did not influence the content of neutral detergent fibre, in comparison with the control silage in both cuts
Concerning the first cut, the analysis demonstrated a higher content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and organic matter digestibility (OMD); and a lower content of crude fibre (CF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in 2012 than in 2013 (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Cocksfoot (orchard grass, Dactylis glomerata L.) is a long-lived, perennial grass with excellent regrowth characteristics and adaptability to various environmental conditions (Sanada et al, 2010) It is commonly recommended for pastures, owing to drought resistance and winter-hardiness (Sanderson et al, 2002). Dactylis glomerata L. is a versatile grass utilized for grazing, hay, or silage production on a global scale due to its high forage quality (i.e., sugar and protein contents), shade tolerance, and persistence (Lindner et al, 2004). This forage grass has a high economic value due to its high productivity and disease resistance under alternating weather conditions (Míka et al, 2002). While hetero-fermentative inoculants are more efficient in the maintenance of the aerobic stability of silages, homo-fermentative inoculants are stronger in the improvement of the fermentation features (Kung et al, 2003)

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