Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Molasses Additive in Grass Silage
In Grass silage, molasses is added @ ______ % to improve sugar content:
- 3-3.5% — Correct Answer
- 5%
- 10%
- 15%
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 3–3.5%
In grass silage making, molasses is added @ 3–3.5% of the green matter to supplement the naturally low soluble sugar content of grasses. This provides additional substrate for lactic acid bacteria (LAB), ensuring rapid acidification and good-quality silage formation.
When Molasses Addition is Required
| Crop Type | Soluble Sugar Content | Molasses Addition |
|---|---|---|
| Maize, Sorghum, Bajra | High (>3%) → naturally good for ensiling | Not usually required |
| Grasses, Legumes | Low (<3%) → poor LAB substrate | 3–3.5% molasses required |
Role of Molasses in Silage
- Provides readily fermentable sucrose → LAB produce lactic acid → rapid pH drop.
- Acts as a pellet/silage binder improving compaction.
- Also improves palatability of silage (sweet taste).
- Urea (@ 1%) and salt (@0.5%) are added along with molasses to cereals/grasses to improve N content and palatability.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- 5% → too high; excessive molasses is wasteful and may cause overly rapid fermentation.
- 10% → far too high; not a standard recommendation.
- 15% → unrealistically high; impractical and economically prohibitive.
📚 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.
