Effect of glucose and lactobacillus pretreatments on rnsilaging pressed foliage of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

Attempts were made during present investigation to prepare silage from pressed foliage of lucerne. In order to activate lactic acid production during ensilaging, glucose and Lactobacilli were added before ensilaging as additives. It was observed that thelactic acid fermentation increased due to the addition of glucose and/or Lactic acid producing bacteria as indicated by increased lactic acid in silage. This was associated with decrease pH, non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and ammonical nitrogen, resulting into good quality of silage for ruminants. Increased lactic acid rapidly decreased pH of the ensiled material and the nutrients remained conserved without further deterioration.