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The effect of temperature on the ensiling process of corn and wheat
Author(s) -
Weinberg Z.G.,
Szakacs G.,
Ashbell G.,
Hen Y.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01276.x
Subject(s) - silage , microbial inoculant , food spoilage , lactic acid , anaerobic exercise , zoology , chemistry , food science , agronomy , biology , horticulture , inoculation , bacteria , physiology , genetics
Aims: The purpose of this work was to study the effect of temperature on the ensiling process and aerobic stability of corn and wheat silages. Methods and Results: The crops were ensiled in 1·5 l anaerobic jars, with and without an inoculant, at room or elevated temperatures (37–41°C). After two months of ensiling, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test at room and elevated (33°C) temperature. The results indicate that ensiling at elevated temperatures resulted in higher pH values, less lactic acid and higher losses. The silages which were stored at elevated temperatures were more susceptible to aerobic spoilage than those stored at room temperature, especially when the test was performed at elevated temperature. Conclusions: High temperatures are detrimental to both the ensiling process and the aerobic stability of silages. Significance and Impact of the Study: The findings of the current study suggest that in a warm climate, special care should be taken during silage making and storage in order to avoid heating as much as possible. In addition, in a warm climate, silages are more susceptible to aerobic deterioration and therefore, special care should be taken during unloading.