Laboratory ensilage of Setaria sphacelata (Nandi) with molasses

Abstract

The effectiveness of molasses as an aid to the preservation of Setaria sphacelata (var. Nandi) was tested by ensiling two harvests of the grass with 0, 1, 2, and 4 per cent of added molasses. When the grass was cut at a vegetative stage none of the molasses additions stimulated a satisfactory lactic acid fermentation ; but, in spite of high pH values, the silages were relatively stable during storage. Second harvest material (numerous tillers in full head) with 4 per cent molasses produced stable lactic acid silage, but with smaller additions the silages were unstable and lactic acid was destroyed during storage. During the first five days in the silos substantial amounts of sugar were lost at the expense of lactic acid formation, and 4 per cent of molasses appeared to be a minimal dressing for S. sphacelata silage.