ISSN:
1365-2494
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
A simulation model of yeast and mould growth in aerobically deteriorating silage was tested and analysed. The model predictions of aerobic stability were compared with actual stability data from published experiments and were accurate when maize silage composition and initial yeast and mould counts were known. The time-course of deterioration was simulated for various initial temperatures and yeast and mould concentrations and exhibited primary, secondary, and tertiary heating in some cases; however, the model was limited in its ability to predict temperature history during deterioration because of the simplified treatment of heat transfer. In simulations, the relative importance of yeasts and moulds depended mainly on initial fungal concentrations, whereas the relative importance of mesophiles and thermophiles depended primarily on initial temperature. The model predicted that the period of silage aerobic stability ends when fungal concentrations reach approximately 0·001 g g−1 silage. Temperature, water-soluble carbohydrate concentration, fungal populations, and fermentation product concentrations in interaction with pH had the greatest direct effects on predicted aerobic stability. The model results suggest that aerobic stability is greatest when the pre-ensiling forage is highly buffered, of low dry matter content, and contains sufficient water-soluble carbohydrates to allow fermentation to the lowest possible pH with no residual water-soluble carbohydrates.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2494.1991.tb02235.x
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