Some factors affecting silage fermentation. 2. Influence of degree of laceration and of the bacterial flora from the grass.

Abstract

In laboratory-scale ensiling experiments, a relationship was demonstrated between the degree of laceration of the herbage and the amount of butyric acid produced. After a certain degree of laceration, specific for each forage sample, had been exceeded, butyric acid fermentation was suppressed. There was no correlation between the sugar content of the grass and the effect of laceration on silage quality. Inoculation of mown or lacerated grass with Streptobacterium plantarum or S. casei, but not with Betabacterium breve, resulted in improved silage quality, compared with where the grass was not inoculated. Lacerating or mincing the non-inoculated material also improved preservation. It was concluded that the effect of the microflora initially present on the course of silage fermentation decreases as the degree of laceration increases. Silages made from uninoculated material or from material inoculated with B. breve contained more acetic acid than did the other inoculated silages.-R.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)