Ensiling of whole-crop wheat with cellulase-hemicellulase based enzymes. 1. Effect of crop growth stage and enzyme on silage composition and stability

摘要: Whole-crop wheat was harvested at the heading, mealy-ripe, medium-dough and hard-dough stages of grain development corresponding to crop dry matter (DM) contents 310 g DM kg−1, 405 520 kg−1 680 respectively. Crop from each harvest either untreated or treated with one two enzyme additives (Clampzyme Deezyme) three application rates 333, 667 1000 ml t−1 1000, 1334 1667 (low, medium high level) for Clampzyme Deezyme, ensiled in 5.0 kg quantities polythene-bag silos, sealed immediately after 24 h. Contents DM, acid detergent fibre, neutral fibre vitro digestible organic increased advancing maturity, but nitrogen, water-soluble carbohydrates fermentation products decreased. Silage stability, as measured by silo loss when exposed, also crops matured. Compared crop, treatment lactic acetic decreased pH, these effects were more pronounced less mature crops. Neither content nor affected treatment; increasing levels did not affect silage composition. An interesting finding that delaying sealing h improved aerobic stability silages. Albeit using small-scale it is concluded whole-crop may be up 700 (hard-dough stage) effectively preserved ensiling. Addition cellulase-hemicellulase-based enzymes would enhance ensiling (less than 500 wheat.