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Nutritive value of whole plant corn silage of different particle sizes, silage densities and with or without inoculant
Thesis Abstract:
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different particle sizes, silage densities and inoculation on the chemical composition and in situ degradability of the whole plant corn silage. In Study 1, a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement in completely randomized design was used. The 3 main factors were particle size, silage density, and inoculation. Each factor had two sub factors, namely, 2.5 cm and 5.0 cm particle size, 350 kg/m3 and 500 kg/m3 packing density and inoculation with or without L. plantarum. In Study 2, three rumen-fistulated dairy cattle were used for the in situ nylon bag experiment. Eight samples consisting of the treatment combinations used in Study 1 and fresh corn plant were incubated in the rumen for 24 and 48 hours to determine dry matter and crude protein disappearance. The results showed interaction effects among particle size, silage density, and inoculation on CP, ADF, and NDF contents except on starch, ash, pH, and temperature. High percentages of CP and low levels of ADF and NDF were recorded in inoculated silage with 2.5 cm particle size and 350 kg/m3 silage density. However, high CP disappearance at 48h incubation was detected in the same silage. Higher percentage of DM disappearance was found in uninoculated silage at 2.5 cm particle size and 350 kg/m3 silage density at 24- and 48-h incubation periods. Based on these results, it can be recommended that preparation of whole plant corn silage can be optimized by inoculation with L. plantarum, chopped at 2.5 cm particle size, and packed at 350 kg/m3 silage density to produce good quality corn silage.
