Effects of Harvesting Stages and Additives on the Chemical Composition, Fermentation Quality and Relative Feed Value of Soybean Silages Varieties

Abstract

In this study, the chemical composition, silage fermentation quality and relative feed value of soybean silages varieties, namely Adasoy (A), Derry (D) and Yesilsoy (Y), with Pioneer11C33 (I), molasses (M) and cracked wheat (W) additives at the three harvesting stages, i.e., full flowering (R2), full pod (R4) and full seed (R6) stages, were determined. It was observed that the A and D varieties were the best silage materials for the production of good quality silage in terms of both nutrient contents such as DM and CP and fermentation criteria such as LA and BA concentrations during the R4 and R6 harvest periods. Molasses and cracked wheat additives significantly improved the fermentation qualities of all soybean varieties (P<0.05), but the fermentation effect of the inoculant on silages was less than that of molasses and cracked wheat. The harvesting of soybean varieties in the full seed and applying molasses or cracked wheat as an additive optimally improves silage characteristics and results in well-preserved silage.