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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Dairy Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #229169
Title: Effect of treatment and cultivar on the ensiling of corn stover

Author
item Muck, Richard
item COORS, JAMES - U.W.-MADISON
item RICHARD, THOMAS - PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV.
item Scott, Marvin

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2008
Publication Date: 8/1/2008
Citation: Muck, R.E., Coors, J.G., Richard, T.L., Scott, M.P. 2008. Effect of treatment and cultivar on the ensiling of corn stover [abstract]. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Paper 085001.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Nine cultivars of corn stover selected for ethanol potential were harvested (34 to 40% dry matter) and each ensiled with six treatments: untreated, lactic acid bacteria, cell-wall degrading enzymes, sulfuric acid, bacteria-enzyme combination and enzyme-acid combination. Ensiling was carried out in vacuum-sealed bags at ~22°C for 60 d. The untreated stovers ensiled well. Lactic acid bacteria and enzyme treatments had no effect on pH, but the bacteria-enzyme combination lowered pH in some cultivars. The acid and acid-enzyme treatments had low pH values ranging from 1.3 to 1.5. Lactic acid was generally highest in the bacteria-enzyme treatment whereas acetic acid was highest for the acid treatments. The acid treatments substantially reduced hemicellulose. Potential ethanol yield on average was highest in the bacteria-enzyme treatments.