Effects of Different Levels of Organic and Inorganic Acids Treatment on Quality and Ruminal Dry Matter and Nutrients Degradability of Iranian Clover Silage

In order to evaluate the effects of three organic (Formic, Acetic and Propionic acid) and two inorganic acids (Sulfuric acid and HCL) at different levels (0, 1, 2.5 and 5% (vol/wt)) on dry and organic matter, NDF, CP and ammonia-N content and pH of Iranian clover silage and its ruminal dry matter and nutrients degradability, this experiment carried out using a complete randomized design with 5×3 factorial arrangement of treatments. After harvesting at 15 % of flowering, equivalent of three Kg dry matter of treated and control Iranian clover was ensiled for 35 d. The effects of these treatments on ruminal dry matter and nutrient degradability of Iranian clover silage were determined. Ruminal dry matter and nutrients degradability of Iranian clover silage were measured by nylon bag technique using three fistulated Zel ewes (approximately 2 year old, BW= 30 ± 2 kg). Incubation times consisted of 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. The acid, level of acid and their interactions significantly decreased the NDF, ammonia-N content and pH, whereas significantly increased DM, OM and CP content of treated silage in comparision to control silage. Ruminal degradability of DM, CP and NDF were significantly affected by acid, level of acid and their interaction. Treated silages had higher ruminal degradable dry matter, lower ruminal degradable CP in comparision to control silage. Treating with organic and inorganic acids improved the quality and increased ruminal degradable dry matter and NDF and decreased ruminal degradable CP, and totally the increased nutritive value of silage.