Effect of Molasses and Sulphuric Acid Addition to Barley/Hungarian Vetch Bi-Crop Silages

Abstract

Bingol, N.T., Karsli, M.A., Bolat, D. and Akca, I. 2006. Effect of molasses and sulphuric acid addition to barley/Hungarian vetch bi-crop silages. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 29–32.

To determine the effects of sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄ and molasses (M) on silage quality and in vitro dry matter digestibility, barley (157/37 Tokak) and Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz) were planted together at the rate of 3:1 and harvested at the milk stage of barley and conserved in 1 kg jar, laboratory silos. Silages were treated with no additive (control silage), 6% M, 0.3% 2N H₂SO₄, 0.3% 4N H₂SO₄, 0.3% 2N H₂SO₄ + 6% M and 0.3% 4N H₂SO₄ + 6% M. Dry matter was significantly higher in silages treated with molasses and with 4N H₂SO₄ + M (P<0.05). Ash, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber concentrations were not affected by additives. ThepH values were significantly lower in silages treated with 2N H2SO₄ and 4N H2SO₄ (P<0.05). Silages treated with molasses, 2N H₂SO₄ and 2N H₂SO₄ + M had significantly higher lactic acid concentrations (P<0.05). The addition of 2N H₂SO₄ + M and 4N H₂SO₄ + M into silages increased silage propionic acid levels (P<0.05). In vitro dry matter digestibility of silages with additives, except 4N H₂SO₄ + M, were significantly higher compared with control (P<0.05). Addition of molasses and 2N H₂SO₄ may be considered to improve quality of barley + Hungarian vetch bi crop silage.

Keywords:

• Barely/Hungarian vetch silage
• silage additives
• molasses
• sulphuric acid
• in vitro digestibility