Effects of an Enzyme Addition on Corn Silage Fermentation

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Abstract
Whole plant corn silage was ensiled for 0, 2, 6, 14, 30, and 50 d in triplicate plastic silo bags, with or without addition of a commercial cellulase and xylanase enzyme mixture (230 mL/ton). After each fermentation period, silage was removed and analyzed for DM, pH, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), Total N, ADF, NDF, and lactic acid. Samples from 50 d silage bags were analyzed for in situ DM and NDF disappearance. Aerobic stability of silage was recorded upon opening 30 d silage bags. No differences were noted for pH, DM, or ammonia (percentage of total N). The WSC content (DM basis) was higher (P < .05) at 6 d for enzyme-treated silage (4.27 vs 3.91%). Increases in lactic acid levels for treated silage were noted after 2 d of fermentation, however this was significant only at 30 d (P < .10). Reductions in ADF and NDF concentrations were significant at 50 d for enzyme-treated silage (P < .10). No differences were observed for in situ disappearance of DM. After 48 h of ruminal incubation, control silage had higher NDF disappearance. Following 3 d of silage exposure to air, temperature of enzyme-treated silage rose dramatically and declined to temperatures similar to the control at 5 d. Although silage was lower in ADF and NDF after 50 d of fermentation, these data suggest that an application of a commercial enzyme mixture to corn silage did not appreciably change silage fermentation or composition.