Laboratory ensilage of Setaria sphacelata (Nandi) and Chloris gayana (C.P.I. 16144)

Abstract

The ensilage of two harvests of Setaria sphacelata (Nandi) and Chloris gayana (C.P.I. 16144) with and without added sucrose has been examined in laboratory silos. Without added sucrose, second harvest S. sphacelata and both harvests of C. gayana produced "acetic acid" silage. With added sucrose, and in spite of rapid initial acidification to pH c. 3.8, material from these harvests tended to produce "butyric acid" silage. First harvest S. sphacelata, both with and without sucrose, produced wellpreserved silage. The reasons for this are not obvious, but may hold the key to successful ensilage of this grass.