A simple system to study the aerobic determination of silages

Abstract

Asimplelaboratory systemconstructed from 1.5L polyethylene terephthalate (P.E.T.) bottles to measure CO2 pro duction during aerobic deterioration of silages is described. The aerobic deterioration of corn, ryegrass and wheat silages was studied using the system along with chemical and microbiological analyses. The ryegrass silage was the leaststable on aerobic exposure, as indi cated bythelargest CO2 production, fastest riseinpHandhighestDM losses. Measurement of CO2 production during aerobic deterioration withthe proposed simple system can be a reliable indicator for aerobic spoilage of silages.