Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Characteristics of the A.I.V. Silage Method
Which is true about A.I.V. method of silage making?
- A.I.V. method is given by A.I. Virtanen in 1925
- pH of silage should be less than 4
- Acid additives (2N $H_{2}SO_{4}$ + 2N HCl) used as preservatives
- All the above — Correct Answer
Explanation:
Correct Answer: All the above
All three statements about the A.I.V. method of silage making are correct: (1) it was developed by A.I. Virtanen in Finland in 1925, (2) the target pH of the silage should be less than 4, and (3) acid additives (2N H₂SO₄ + 2N HCl) are used as preservatives to achieve direct acidification.
A.I.V. Method — Key Facts
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developed by | A.I. Virtanen (Finland), 1925 |
| Target pH | < 4 (direct acidification) |
| Acid additives used | 2N H₂SO₄ + 2N HCl |
| Principle | Chemical acidification instead of biological fermentation |
| Advantage | Rapid preservation; no dependence on sugar content of crop |
Comparison: A.I.V. Method vs Conventional Ensiling
- Conventional ensiling → relies on LAB (lactic acid bacteria) to produce lactic acid naturally → slow pH drop.
- A.I.V. method → acid added directly → immediate pH drop to <4 → prevents all fermentation, including undesirable butyric fermentation.
- A.I.V. is particularly useful for legumes and crops with low sugar content that ferment poorly.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- All three individual statements are factually correct, making All the above the only complete answer.
