The effect of wood vinegar on nutritional value and fermentation of grass silage

This study was carried out to determine the effects of wood vinegar (WV) used in different concentrations on nutrient composition, fermentation progress and microflora of grass silage. The study material was composed one control (0% WV) and three experimental groups consisting 0.5%, 1% and 2% WV, respectively. Each group was made with four replicates. WV was applied to the grass prepared from the natural meadow of Kafkas University and prepared in the laboratory scale conditions by spray method at the given rates (0.5%, 1% and 2%). The samples were ensiled in 1.0 L anaerobic jars. pH, dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber analyses were performed on the samples opened on the 60th day of fermentation. Also, microbiological analyses were performed for lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and mold by the plate count method. As a result of silage trials carried out under laboratory-scale conditions, WV did not affect nutritional values (P>0.05). The highest pH among the treatment groups was observed in the 2% WV added group (P<0.05). While the number of lactic acid bacteria in the WV groups (0.5 and 1%) did not change when compared to the control group (P>0.05), the highest (2%) concentration of WV showed significant antimicrobial activity on lactic acid bacteria (P<0.05). Also, it has been determined that WV may reduce yeast and mold growth compared to the control group (P<0.05).