PF 28. Aerobic stability of native tropical grass silage. Effect of propionic acid and length of aerobic exposure

  • A. A. Rodriguez Departamento de Industria Pecuaria. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
  • J. A. Acevedo Departamento de Industria Pecuaria. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
  • E. O. Riquelme Departamento de Industria Pecuaria. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayaguez

Abstract

The effect of propionic acid and length of aerobic exposure on the aerobic stability of native tropical grass silage was evaluated. Native tropical grasses (NTG; 60 % Johnson halapense, 20 % Panicum maximum, 20 % Pennisetum purpureum) were harvested at the Lajas Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico, and chopped into 2.5 cm pieces. Chopped forage was ensiled for 60 days into laboratory PVC silos and assigned to two treatments; no aditive (control) and propionic acid (0.5 % of fresh material). Three silos were prepared for each treatment. After opening, silage material was placed into styrofoam containers lined with plastic and exposed to air for 0, 1, and 3 days. After each exposure period, silage was analyzed for pH, temperature and in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD). Dry matter recovery (DMR) was determined after 1 and 3 days of aerobic exposure. Addition of propionic acid did not influence pH, temperature, IVDMD or DMR of TNG silage after exposure to air. The pH increased, but IVDMD and DMR decreased after 1 day of aerobic exposure. Temperature was similar regardless of length of aerobic exposure. In summary, propionic acid applied at 0.5 % of fresh forage did not improve the aerobic stability of NTG silage. The greatest deterioration of the resulting silage occured after 1 day of aerobic exposure.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Published
2005-02-18
How to Cite
Rodriguez, A. A., J. A. Acevedo, and E. O. Riquelme. 2005. “PF 28. Aerobic Stability of Native Tropical Grass Silage. Effect of Propionic Acid and Length of Aerobic Exposure”. Archivos Latinoamericanos De Producción Animal 5 (3). https://ojs.alpa.uy/index.php/ojs_files/article/view/78.