The occurrence of the Western corn rootworm and increasing frequency of summer droughts have reduced forage maize yields and quality in Central Europe in recent years. Therefore, sorghum ( (L.) Moench) has been increasingly used as alternative forage in ruminant feeding, although information on the nutritive value of whole crop sorghum silage (WCSS) under Central European climate conditions is scarce. This research project aimed to study differences between sorghum varieties and harvest dates regarding dry matter (DM) yield, chemical composition of fresh panicle, fresh stover, fresh whole plant and WCSS as well as whole tract digestibility and energy content of WCSS. For this purpose, six sorghum varieties, classified by their predominant use (biomass, silage, grain), were cultivated and harvested at three maturity stages (late milk stage, dough stage, full maturity). Furthermore, WCSS quality was compared with feed value of fresh and ensiled forage maize. Dry matter yield was higher ( < 0.05) in biomass sorghum (24.9 t/ha) compared to other sorghum varieties (12.4 to 16.7 t/ha). However, panicle proportion was lowest in biomass sorghum (10.5%), highest in grain sorghum (59.1%) and intermediate in silage sorghum. Fibre content declined and starch content increased with rising panicle proportion in fresh panicle, fresh whole plant and WCSS. Therefore, whole tract organic matter digestibility (66.8%) and metabolisable energy (ME) content (9.49 MJ/kg DM) were highest in grain sorghum silage. Especially low ME content was found in the biomass sorghum silage (7.43 MJ/kg DM). Dry matter yield of sorghum increased between late milk and dough stage of maturity, while it remained constant afterwards. Furthermore, ME content of WCSS rose tendentially (0.05 < < 0.10) between late milk and dough stage of maturity and dropped again between dough stage and full maturity. Highest nutritive value of WCSS is achieved if grain sorghum varieties are used and both nutritive value and DM yield are optimised if harvest is carried out at dough stage of maturity. However, compared to forage maize, grain sorghum varieties have disadvantages both in DM yield and in nutritive value under common Central European climate conditions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1745039X.2021.1924016 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Fermentative profile and bacterial community structure of whole-plant triticale silage () with or without the addition of and .
mSphere
January 2025
Animal nutrition and feed science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of and on the chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, bacterial communities, and predicted metabolic pathways of whole-plant triticale silage (). Fresh triticale harvested at the milk stage was ensiled in sterile distilled water (CON), (ST), (LP), and a combination of and (LS) for 3, 7, 15, and 30 days. During ensiling, the pH and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content in the inoculated groups was significantly lower than those in the CON group ( < 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of the authorisation of a preparation of NCIMB 30005 as technological additive to improve ensiling of fresh material for all animal species. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. There was no new evidence that would lead the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) to reconsider its previous conclusions for all animal species, consumers and the environment, for which the additive is considered to remain safe.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects and function of citric acid on fermentation quality and microbial community in sugarcane tops silage with high and low water-soluble carbohydrate content.
BMC Plant Biol
January 2025
College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China.
Sugarcane tops silage (STS), as a source of roughage for ruminants, is rich in water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content, which significantly affects silage quality. Citric acid (CA) is a low-cost natural antimicrobial agent that can inhibit undesirable microbes and improve silage quality. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of CA on the chemical composition, fermentation quality, microbial communities, and metabolic pathways of STS with high and low WSC contents before or after aerobic exposure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of NCIMB 41028 as a technological additive to improve ensiling of fresh plant material. The additive is intended for use in all fresh material for all animal species at a proposed minimum concentration of 1 × 10 colony forming units (CFU)/kg fresh plant material. The bacterial species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of NCIMB 30148 as a technological additive to improve ensiling of fresh plant material. The additive is intended for use in all fresh material for all animal species at a proposed minimum concentration of 1 × 10 colony forming units (CFU)/kg fresh plant material. The bacterial species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!