Abstract
In this experiment, wilted masses of red clover of cultivar K-17 from the first cut was ensiled in three treatments: a) no additives, b) with the addition of corn (6% of biomass) and c) with the addition of inoculant BioStabil Plus. The experiment design was according to the method of a completely random plan (single factorial trial) in triplicates. Based on the results it can be concluded that the wilted biomass of red clover can be successfully ensiled without additives. However, the inoculation of red clover biomass achieves the most favourable pH value (4.20), the lowest level of degradation of the protein expressed in the amount of NH3-N (107.7 gkg-1 N), the largest production of lactic acid (91.3 gkg-1 DM) and acetic acid (42.6 gkg-1 DM), in the absence of butyric acid. Adding maize meal in the amount of 6% contributed to somewhat more favourable fermentation and increase of the energy value of silage. When using the DLG and Weissbach methods for assessing the quality of silage, all silages were classified into the first class. Contrary to this, according to the Zelter method, control and inoculated silages were evaluated as class III, because of the large amounts of acetic acid. In practices inoculants based on homo-and hetero-fermentative bacteria of lactic acid fermentation are recommended for use, because the increased production of acetic acid contributes positively to te aerobic stability of silage.
Highlights
The use of conserved forages throughout the year, combined with the required amount of concentrate, is generally accepted and widespread trend in countries with developed cattle breeding
If the sugars present were used for the synthesis of lactic acid with 100% efficiency, the ratio of sugar quantity to the buffer capacity (S/BC) could be 1.0
In particular S/BC ratio, production of lactic acid is even greater if the dry matter content is higher (Beyer et al.,1982)
Summary
The use of conserved forages (hay and silage) throughout the year, combined with the required amount of concentrate, is generally accepted and widespread trend in countries with developed cattle breeding. Methods of mechanical conditioning of biomass accelerate storage (drying) of hay (Savoie et al, 1997), and the use of chemical preservatives (propionic acid-based) enables storing of the mass with higher moisture content (Bolsen, 1993). The most effective way to preserve maximum nutritional value of plant mass of the first cut is ensiling. In this regard, in Serbia there are numerous experiences with alfalfa, while the ability of red clover ensiling was far less studied. It is superior forage crop to alfalfa due to its remarkable biological properties, red clover is a significant potential for food production in areas with unfavourable pH (Dinić et al, 2012)
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