Determination of silage quality properties of different switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars

This research was conducted in 2017 to determine the silage quality characteristics of some switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars. In the study; Kanlow, Shelter, Shawnee, BoMaster, Alamo, Trailblazer, Cave in Rock and Long Island cultivars were used as silage material. Plants were harvested 10-15 days after they reached the flowering period for silage; the shredded materials, in 0.5-1 cm dimensions, were filled into 3-liter glass jars and left to ferment for 70 days. In the silage samples at the end of the silage period; pH, lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA), crude protein (CP) ratio, acid detergent insoluble fiber (ADF) ratio; physical properties, such as odor, structure, and color, and neutral detergent (NDF) ratio values were determined; total physical score and Fleig score were calculated and silage quality classification was made. According to the results of the study, when the total physical score was taken into consideration, statistically significant differences were observed among the cultivars of switchgrass. According to this, it was determined that the cultivars score was; for odor (8.0-13.7), for structure (2.0-4.0), and for color (1.0-2.0) and in terms of DLG score, the cultivars showed medium and very good quality silage characteristics. In the study, dry matter content (39.0-51.0%), the pH (3.84-4.86), the LA content (1.78-2.35%), the BA content (0.05-0.33%), the AA content (0.35-1.55%), the CP content (3.76-5.57%), the ADF content (39.30-41.73%), and the NDF content has been found to vary between 70.96% and 75.41% for the silages of switchgrass. As a result of the statistical analyzes; dry matter ratio, LA, BA, AA, CP and NDF contents were statistically significant at p≤0.01, while differences between the cultivars with respect to ADF ratio were not significant. It has been determined that the silage quality obtained from the switchgrass cultivars according to the Fleig score falls into the category of "Very good". According to the results of this research, it was determined that BoMaster, Alamo and Trailblazer, and especially Long Island and Cave in Rock cultivars, which are prominent in terms of silage quality, can be successfully used in silage production.