The influence of zeolite addition on quality of fresh lucerne silage

Abstract

The influence of natural zeolite addition on chemical composition and quality of silages was investigated. Lucerne was ensiled with and without technologically processed natural zeolite (Min-A-Zel, product of ITNMS, Belgrade) in the amounts of 80, 400 and 2000 g per 100 kg of fresh lucerne (with approximately 250 g/kg dry matter). Ensiling was done immediately after harvesting or after 24 hours (two factorial experiment 4 × 2). Second part of the experiment (after 24 hours) was done to investigate the additional contamination of lucerne with aerial microorganisms.

The results of the investigations show that addition of the technologically processed natural zeolite while lucerne ensiling enhances the fermentation intensity and results in the increase in acetic acid production with the lower pH values and more favourable ratio of lactic to total acids. The influence of mentioned doses of zeolite on chemical composition was less pronounced and is mostly relative. The only real changes were the increase of dry matter content and of the mineral content.

According to DLG method the control silage was ranked as III quality class, silages with lowest and medium doses of zeolite in II quality class and silage with maximal dose of zeolite in I quality class.