Inoculation in corn silages, aerial part and ear of corn, submitted to frost

Abstract

Two experiments were run to evaluate the fermentation and the chemical composition of corn silages, aerial part and ear of corn, submitted or not to frost, with or without microbial inoculation, both completely randomized experimental design, in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Samples were taken before and after of ensilage. In the aerial part silage, inoculation did not influence the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDDM), with an average of 57.49%, and ammonia-N (NH3-N) and DM losses, with means equal to 6.07% total N and 0.99% respectively. The frost caused lower DM content, 23.05% vs 26.48%DM, respectively, and higher CP content of silages, 7.13 vs 6.00% CP. The ear of corn silage exposed to frost had higher DM and OM, without influence on CP, 1.71%. The frost affected the chemical composition of corn silages, aerial part and ear of corn, and they had proper pH. Inoculation did not influence the fermentation and chemical composition of corn silages, aerial part and ear of corn, submitted or not to frost.