Open AccessAn Overview on the Factors Affecting Water-soluble Carbohydrates Concentration during Ensiling of Silage
Author(s) -
Muhammad Fraz Ali,
Tahir Muhammad
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of plant and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2710-1665
pISSN - 2710-1657
DOI - 10.33687/jpe.003.01.3702
Subject(s) - silage , dry matter , forage , chemistry , moisture , agronomy , fodder , carbohydrate , nutrient , water content , morning , organic matter , zoology , limiting , food science , botany , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , mechanical engineering , geotechnical engineering , engineering
Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) concentration during the ensiling process is influenced by both controllable and uncontrollable factors such as temperature, moisture level, fertilizers, additives nutrients, and time of ensiling of silage. The WSC contents may vary among the different fodder and forage species. The ensiling temperature has a limiting impact on water-soluble carbohydrates and their concentration decrease with increasing temperature. Crops should be harvested at optimum moisture and dry matter level to reach the required concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates to produce organic acids. Water-soluble carbohydrate concentration decreased with the crop's maturity due to the accumulation of carbohydrates in the grains. The evening cut has more concentration of WSC than that of the morning cut due to the photosynthesis process. The contents of WSC can be increased by using different kinds of additives during the ensiling process. Ensiling time has not much influence on the water-soluble carbohydrates. To understand these factors, we have a detailed review of the factors affecting the WSC of silage.