Studies on ensilage. II. Plant maturity effects in the ensilage of ryegrass and clover under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Laboratory silages made from pure crops of three varieties of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, and Lolium sp., N.Z. H1 strain) differed according to maturity at harvest. When ensiled at a stage of development characterized by first appearance of heads, all varieties tested sustained an initial lactic fermentation which ensured an adequate degree of stability during prolonged storage. Earlier harvesting tended to give less satisfactory results. Species effects, if present, could not be distinguished from possible effects of seasonal factors in this investigation.

Experiments conducted with known mixtures of short rotation ryegrass (N.Z. HI strain) and white clover (Trifolium repens) showed that the proportion of the legume which could be added without appreciable ill-effect increased with later harvesting. Major adverse effects of clover additions appeared as increased losses of dry matter in the effluent and a greater tendency to instability in the silage, the latter being demonstrated by destruction of part of the lactic acid accumulated earlier, with consequent rise in pH level during storage.