Chemical Composition and In Vitro Gas Production from Different Varieties of Native and Hybrid Maize Silage with the Addition of Acetic Acid or Enzymes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the chemical composition and in vitro gas production of corn white local native (WLN) corn yellow local native (YLN) and the hybrids H-51EA and CL080001 as silage, preserved by three treatments, control (CTR), the addition of acetic acid (AAC) or enzymes (ENZ). Samples were prepared in microsilos and analysed in 4x3 factorial design with three replicates of each one. The dry matter content (g/kg) was higher (P<0.01) for CLO80001 and lower for YLN (222 vs 176); organic matter (OM) content was higher (P<0.01) CLO80001 compared with the natives. Regarding treatments, OM in ENZ were higher (P<0.01) with respect to AAC and CTR; crude protein (CP) content differs by variety and treatments, WLN variety was higher (P<0.01) and the lowest CP was for CLO80001. CTR and AAC were higher in CP (P<0.01) than ENZ treatment. Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content was higher (P<0.01) for WLN than YLN and the hybridsThe highest gas production (ml gas/g DM) (P<0.01) was for hybrids compared with local corn natives. There were no differences (P>0.05) for rate c and lag time between varieties. Dry matter disappeared (DMd) was higher (P<0.01) for CLO8001 and WLN than H51EA. ME (MJ/kg DM) was higher (P<0.01) for CLO80001 < H51EA < YLN < WLN. ME were higher (P<0.01) in ENZ and AAC than CTR. The WLN variety proves to be the best option for feeding cattle, as it turned out better than the rest of the varieties tested. Addition of corn silage with acetic acid or enzymes increased NDF digestibility and ME availability.