Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
A laboratory study to evaluate different types of mechanical, chemical and combinations of mechanical-chemical treatments on drying rate and quality of ryegrass (Lolium multifloruIJJ.) forage is described. Mechanical treatments ranged from cuticle abrasion to crushing of the stems while the chemicals were expected to remove or disrupt epicuticular waxes. Removal of the surface wax layer and part of the cuticle caused only moderate increases in drying rate indicating that epicuticular resistance for ryegrass is only a small fraction of the total resistance to moisture loss. Treatments that crushed and split the stems to bypass tissue resistance were considerably more effective. The drying rate was almost doubled. The combinations of mechanical-chemical treatments were not more effective than mechanical treatments only. Conditioning losses were generally low for all treatments and averaged less than 3% of dry matter. There was little difference in quality among all treatments. Non-linear regression analysis was performed on the drying data and on empirical model developed. This study showed that merely removing surface resistances is not sufficient to increase the drying rate of rye grass forage substantially. It is, however, not recommended to subject the stems to such severe crushing as achieved in the laboratory. Treatments that would cause moderate cracking of the stems, general loosening of the leaf sheaths and removal of epicuticular waxes and cuticle are preferable for field drying.
Citation
Tsang Mui Chung, M and Verma, L r., "Mechanical and Chemical Conditions as an Aid in Hastening Drying Rate of Ryegrass Forage" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 18.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses9/18)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Mechanical and Chemical Conditions as an Aid in Hastening Drying Rate of Ryegrass Forage
Kyoto Japan
A laboratory study to evaluate different types of mechanical, chemical and combinations of mechanical-chemical treatments on drying rate and quality of ryegrass (Lolium multifloruIJJ.) forage is described. Mechanical treatments ranged from cuticle abrasion to crushing of the stems while the chemicals were expected to remove or disrupt epicuticular waxes. Removal of the surface wax layer and part of the cuticle caused only moderate increases in drying rate indicating that epicuticular resistance for ryegrass is only a small fraction of the total resistance to moisture loss. Treatments that crushed and split the stems to bypass tissue resistance were considerably more effective. The drying rate was almost doubled. The combinations of mechanical-chemical treatments were not more effective than mechanical treatments only. Conditioning losses were generally low for all treatments and averaged less than 3% of dry matter. There was little difference in quality among all treatments. Non-linear regression analysis was performed on the drying data and on empirical model developed. This study showed that merely removing surface resistances is not sufficient to increase the drying rate of rye grass forage substantially. It is, however, not recommended to subject the stems to such severe crushing as achieved in the laboratory. Treatments that would cause moderate cracking of the stems, general loosening of the leaf sheaths and removal of epicuticular waxes and cuticle are preferable for field drying.
