not available

ABSTRACT

Although many aspects of grass silage have received intensive study, the changes that take place within the grass blades during ensilage have received little attention.In two factorial experiments Itahan ryegrass (cv. Lemtal) and cocksfoot (indigenous) were ensiled in laboratory silos (capacity 0-2 kg) with the grass under pressure (700 Pa) and subjected to two treatments (with or without 3-3 1 f 85% formic acid) and two silos from each treatment opened on eight sampling dates(l,2,3,4,7,10,14 and 21 d).For each sampling date transverse sections of grass laminae were examined and changes in the cross sections of the protoplasts and of cells, as defined by the cell walls, were recorded. These data were used to calculate the ratios of protoplast to cell volumes at each sampling date.Each silage was analysed for dry matter, pH, lactic acid, VFA, ammonia and glucose. The distance settled by the silage (a measure of decrease in silage volume) and the silage conductivity were also recorded.

No abstract