title: Effects of chemical additives on the fermentation quality and N distribution of alfalfa silage in south of China.
abstract: In order to better utilize the last cut alfalfa harvested before killing frost in a high moisture environment, the effects of chemical additives on the quality of alfalfa silage were studied in south of China. The alfalfa was freshly harvested at branching stage, and wilted by dry matter content of about 300 g/kg (fresh matter basis). Silage was prepared by using a small-scale silage fermentation system, where sucrose, potassium citrate, sodium carbonate, formic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid were used as silage additives, and no additives served as control. These silos were stored at ambient temperature (5-20°C), and the silage qualities were analyzed after 120 days of fermentation. All additive treatments affected the chemical composition and N distribution, increased the water-soluble content and crude protein contents, decreased non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content, and enhanced the in vitro ruminal dry matter digestibility (except for sodium carbonate). Silages treated with organic acids were preserved with significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH value, ethanol content and NPN content compared with control. When the fermentation quality, chemical composition and N distribution were considered, the treatment with sucrose or organic acids resulted in high quality of alfalfa silage ensiled before killing frost, with formic acid having the best effect.
authors.affiliation: College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Shuren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Haiyang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yixin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002254:Carbonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002681:China; D004063:Digestion; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005503:Food Additives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063427:Food Quality; D005561:Formates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D000455:Medicago sativa; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D019357:Potassium Citrate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012417:Rumen / Q000502:physiology; D012820:Silage / Q000032:analysis; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D005503:Food Additives; D005561:Formates; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011422:Propionates; C030544:formic acid; C005686:sodium carbonate; D013395:Sucrose; D019357:Potassium Citrate; C029658:propionic acid; D009584:Nitrogen; D019342:Acetic Acid
keywords: N distribution; alfalfa silage; fermentation quality; killing frost