The Effects of Storage Time on Nutrient Composition and Silage Quality Parameters of Corn Silage Made in Plastic Mini Silo in Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of storage duration on nutrient composition and silage quality parameters of corn silage made in plastic mini silo under laboratory conditions. Corn was used as a silage material. Corn (31.87% of dry matter) was harvested at the dough stage, and ensiled at laboratory conditions in PVC mini silos, for 90, 104, 118, 132, 146, 160, 174, 188 and 202 days. The dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash and crude fiber content of corn silage decreased with the longer storage time (P<0.05). However, nitrogen free extract (NFE) content showed an increase througout the storage time. Storage time didn't significantly lead to change on EE content of corn silage. Lactic acid (LA) concentration of corn silage increased until the 104 th day, but it decreased between 104 th and 188 th days (P<0.05), after which it increased again. Prolongation of storage time gave rise to fluctuation of LA concentration. Contrary to the decrease in LA concentration, acetic acid (AA) concentration increased depending on storage time. Silage NH 3 -N concentration was highest at the 146 th day, CO 2 concentration increased until the 160 th day, then, decreased in the other storage time (P<0.05). The lowest WSC concentration of corn silage was found at the 118 th day, but the highest at the 202 th day (p<0.05). Silage pH values were remained at normal levels. Flieg scores of corn silage were significantly affected by storage time. In this research, changes were observed in nutrient composition and silage fermentation characteristics with the prolonged storage time of corn silage made in mini silos in laboratory conditions.