ARS | Publication request: Effect of treatment and cultivar on the ensiling of corn stover

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: June 30, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Nine cultivars of corn stover selected for ethanol potential were harvested (34 to 40% dry matter) and each ensiled with six treatments: untreated, lactic acid bacteria, cell-wall degrading enzymes, sulfuric acid, bacteria-enzyme combination and enzyme-acid combination. Ensiling was carried out in vacuum-sealed bags at ~22°C for 60 d. The untreated stovers ensiled well. Lactic acid bacteria and enzyme treatments had no effect on pH, but the bacteria-enzyme combination lowered pH in some cultivars. The acid and acid-enzyme treatments had low pH values ranging from 1.3 to 1.5. Lactic acid was generally highest in the bacteria-enzyme treatment whereas acetic acid was highest for the acid treatments. The acid treatments substantially reduced hemicellulose. Potential ethanol yield on average was highest in the bacteria-enzyme treatments.