FERMENTATION OF ALFALFA SILAGES WITH OZONATED COTTON STALKS ADDED

The effect on fermentation patterns and silage properties of ensiling alfalfa (A) with ozonated cotton stalks (OCS), added at 10, 20, and 30% of dry matter, was explored in laboratory silos. Silos were opened after 90 days, and the silages were analyzed. DM loss was highest for the untreated A silage (14.6%). DM loss in the A + OCS silages was 1-4%, much lower than in the wilted A silage (7.4%). Reducing sugars and fructose were the major carbohydrates fermented; pectin uronic acid (PUA) proved resistant to 90 days of fermentation. OCS is acidic (pH 2); therefore, the pH of the 10% OCS + A mixture dropped to 5.2 immediately at mixing. This allowed a fermentation to proceed, as reflected from sugar fermentation and lactic acid production (3.55%). At 20 and 30% OCS + A mixtures, pH decreased immediately to 4.47 and 4.26, respectively, so the fermentation was partly or completely inhibited. Protein, extensively degraded in the A silage, was preserved in the A + 30% OCS silage. Wilted A + 20% OCS silages were comparable in protecting the alfalfa forage protein.