Effect of storage condition and time on the quality of relocated whole-plant corn silages in bags

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the effects of storage condition (SC) and storage time (ST) on the fermentative parameters and nutritional value of relocated whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) in plastic bags. A completely randomized design was used in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement, with two SC (in the field without cover and in a barn as covered space) and five ST (10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 d), with four replications. Corn was harvested (321 ± 10.3 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)) and relocated in plastic bags (50 kg) after 210 d of fermentation. The mold count of silage stored in the barn displayed a quadratic adjustment (P = 0.008) and reached its lowest value at 60 d of storage. Yeast count decreased (P = 0.001) linearly as a function of time in the silage stored in the barn. Lactic (P<0.001) and acetic (P<0.001) acid concentrations increased linearly as a function of silage ST in the field. A quadratic relationship was observed between protein concentration (P = 0.039) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD; P<0.001) and ST for silage in the field, with the lowest value observed at 90 (58.3 g kg−1 DM) and 60 (529.3 g kg−1 DM) days, respectively. The concentration of ammonia nitrogen increased linearly by 6.80 g kg−1 TN (P<0.001) as a function of ST in relocated silage in the field. The IVDMD increased linearly (P<0.001) as a function of time in silage stored in the barn. Silage in the field had 1.00 log CFU g−1 more lactic acid bacteria (LAB) than those stored in barns. A quadratic adjustment was observed (P<0.05) as a function of ST on LAB count, aerobic stability, maximum temperature, time to reach maximum temperature, DM, and organic matter. It is recommended that silage be stored in bags in the field for use within 60 d. Silage stored in bags in a barn can be used within 120 d.