Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
pH and Ammoniacal Nitrogen in Very Good Silage
In very good quality silage, the pH and ammoniacal nitrogen concentration are respectively:
- pH = 4.2–4.5; Ammoniacal N₂ = 10–15%
- pH = 3.5–4.2; Ammoniacal N₂ < 10% — Correct Answer
- pH above 4.8; Ammoniacal N₂ = 20%
- pH = 3.0–3.5; Ammoniacal N₂ < 5%
Explanation:
Correct Answer: pH = 3.5–4.2; Ammoniacal N₂ < 10%
Silage quality classification based on pH and ammoniacal nitrogen:
| Quality | pH | Ammoniacal N₂ | Butyric acid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very good | 3.5–4.2 | <10% | Nil |
| Good | 4.2–4.5 | 10–15% | Trace |
| Fair | >4.8 | 20%+ | Some |
Silage Quality Notes
- Low pH (acidic) = high lactic acid = good fermentation = good quality
- High ammoniacal N₂ = excessive protein degradation = poor quality (butyric acid fermentation)
- Colour of good silage: Yellowish or brownish-green
- Flieg-index is used to evaluate silage quality
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
