Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1961

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Bacteriology

Abstract

Grass silage is an important factor in the livestock industry because it furnishes a high quality succulent feed at a low cost. As it is known today, silage came be made from nearly any grass, legume or cereal crop. The legumes are particularly valuable because the produce a silage which has a high nutritive value. The retention of plant nutrients such as carotene and protein, is of utmost concern in the production of silage. The preservation of these forage nutrients is brought about by the fermentation reaction within the silage mass. The lactic acid bacteria that are found on the green forage, convert the available plant carbohydrates into lactic acid. The major problem is to convert the available carbohydrates to lactic acid as soon as possible after ensiling the forage. The formations of other acids by microorganisms will result in the production of poor quality silage. Numerous investigations have been made in order to better understand the silage fermentation processes. The knowledge that is gained from these studies may be used to improve silage quality. The purpose of this study if to evaluate some of the observation made when alfalfa is ensiled with various preservatives. The anaerobic microbiological population and biochemical properties of the silage are of particular interest.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Silage
Alfalfa -- Silage
Anaerobic bacteria

Description

Includes bibliographical references

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

66

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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