Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, cilt.11, sa.5, ss.631-634, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
Morphologically whole-plant maize contains various parts and those parts would influence ensiling process based on their current nutrient constituents. The objective of this study was to determine the interrelationship between microbial ensiling characteristics and nutrient constituents of whole-plant maize (WPM) parts. Whole-plant maize (Zea mays L.) was harvested at 2/3 milk-line maturity stage and ensiled as whole plant or separated and ensiled as ear, leaf and stalk, respectively. Microbial constituents of silages were performed during weeks 2 and 8 of ensiling period. Leaf silage had the lowest DM (25.5%) but the highest CP (13.9%), as compared to stalk silage having the highest DM (41.1%) and the lowest CP (5.4%). The lactobacilli (LAB) counts were higher for stalk (7.2 CFU g-1) and WPM (7.1 CFU g-1) but lower for ear (5.8 CFU g-1) silages (P<0.001). The lowest yeast+mold (YM) count was observed in WPM silage (3.0 CFU g-1) compared to leaf (6.4 CFU g-1) and stalk (6.1 CFU g-1) silages at week 8 (P<0.001). Results indicated that WPM compared to other morphological parts had a better microbial pattern for higher LAB and lower YM counts 2 and 8 weeks after ensiling. In addition, nutrient constituents can be an important parameter in determining the microbial pattern of ensiled whole-plant maize.