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Publication Date

1977

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Summary As forage production is increasingly intensified, forage batches with increased nitrate content have to be handled. The forage nitrate may be decomposed during the ensiling process. A major portion of the nitrate, however, is retained in stable lactic acid silage. Only spoilt 􀀂ilages are free from nitrate. Byfar the greater part of the nitrate is reduced to ammonia. Gaseous nitrate decomposition products are produced to only a small extent. They almost exclusively consist of nitrogen monoxide. The formation of ammonia from nitrate was experimentally demonstrated by means of 15N. The reduction of nitrate involved in anaerobic post-fennenta­tion is associated with the fermentation of lactate. The kind of final products resulting from lactate fermentation depends on the presence of nitrate in the fermentation medium. No butyric acid is formed in the presence of nitrate. Nitrate decomposition increases the buffering capacity and reduces the acidity of the silage.

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Decomposition processes and effects of nitrate in ensiling green forage

Summary As forage production is increasingly intensified, forage batches with increased nitrate content have to be handled. The forage nitrate may be decomposed during the ensiling process. A major portion of the nitrate, however, is retained in stable lactic acid silage. Only spoilt 􀀂ilages are free from nitrate. Byfar the greater part of the nitrate is reduced to ammonia. Gaseous nitrate decomposition products are produced to only a small extent. They almost exclusively consist of nitrogen monoxide. The formation of ammonia from nitrate was experimentally demonstrated by means of 15N. The reduction of nitrate involved in anaerobic post-fennenta­tion is associated with the fermentation of lactate. The kind of final products resulting from lactate fermentation depends on the presence of nitrate in the fermentation medium. No butyric acid is formed in the presence of nitrate. Nitrate decomposition increases the buffering capacity and reduces the acidity of the silage.