Effect of mechanical treatments and formic acid on quality of silage prepared from lucerne

Green foliage of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was ensiled after either chopping, macerating to pulp or pressing it to remove moisture. The effect of formic acid as an additive was also studied. The results obtained indicated that the use of formic acid as an additive regulate silage fermentation by decreasing pH, total volatile fatty acids, water soluble reducing sugars and ammonical nitrogen. Formic acid can thus be used to prepare silage of better quality from nutritious foliages of lucernee.