Work

Propionic Acid in the Fermentation and Conservation of Whole Plant Corn Silage at Two Packing Densities

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of propionic acid on whole‐plant maize silage under two packing densities (608 or 428 kg m −3 for the high and low density (HD and LD), respectively) at 365 g kg −1 dry matter (DM), in terms of gas production, DM content, fermentative losses, aerobic stability, pH, and chemical composition. The treatments were as follows: HD—no additive, positive control; high density with propionic acid (HDPA); LD—no additive, negative control, simulating a pile silo condition; and low density with propionic acid (LDPA). Silos were stored for 60 days. Propionic acid and high packing density decreased total gas production (4.9, 5.5, 5.6, and 5.8 L kg −1 DM for HDPA, LDPA, HD, and LD, respectively; p < 0.0001). Propionic acid silages presented higher DM than control silages, being 362.5 and 356.5 g kg −1 DM for PA and control, respectively. Consequently, the control silages showed higher DM losses during fermentation than the propionic acid silages (31.1, 26.3, 13.1, and 7.1 g kg −1 initial DM for LD, HD, LDPA, and HDPA, respectively; p = 0.0025). Additionally, propionic acid and the packing densities decreased DM losses during 10 days of aerobic exposure (132.4, 123.0, 96.3, and 85.3 g kg −1 silage DM for LD, HD, LDPA, and HDPA, respectively; p < 0.0001). Propionic acid silages showed longer aerobic stability compared to control silages (137, 134, 65, and 32 h for LDPA, HDPA, HD, and LD, respectively; p < 0.0001). The LD silages showed the highest maximum temperature during aerobic exposure (44, 39, 38.5, and 36°C for LD, HD, LDPA, and HDPA, respectively; p < 0.0001). Propionic acid decreases losses during both the fermentation and after opening the silo for both the density levels.

Source: International Journal of Agronomy

DOI: 10.1155/ioa/9092078

Authors: Juliana Aparecida de Assis, Cornélio Afonso Cornélio Machungo, Karise Fernanda Nogara, Patrick Schmidt

Institutions: Universidade Federal do Paraná, Eduardo Mondlane University

Language: English

Topic: Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology

Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,000