Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Suitable Crops for Silage
Crop suitable for silage making:
- Crop rich in soluble carbohydrate — Correct Answer
- Crop rich in protein
- Crop rich in fat content
- None of the above
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Crop rich in soluble carbohydrate
Crops rich in soluble carbohydrates (sugars) are most suitable for silage making because they support vigorous lactic acid fermentation, which rapidly lowers the pH and produces high-quality silage.
Why Soluble Carbohydrate is Essential for Silage
- Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) ferment soluble sugars → lactic acid
- Lactic acid → lowers pH to 3.5–4.2 → inhibits spoilage microorganisms
- Without sufficient sugars → butyric acid fermentation predominates → poor quality silage
Fermentation Types During Ensiling
| Type | Condition | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Lactic acid fermentation | Rich in soluble carbohydrates | Good/High quality silage |
| Butyric acid fermentation | Rich in protein (poor in carbs) | Bad odour; poor quality |
Best Crops for Silage
- Most suitable: Maize, Sorghum (Jowar), Bajra (rich in soluble sugars)
- Low-sugar crops: use 3–3.5% molasses addition to compensate
- Grass:Legume ratio for ensiling: 3:1
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Crop rich in protein → leads to butyric acid fermentation → poor quality, bad-smelling silage
- Crop rich in fat → fat doesn't support lactic acid fermentation; not suitable for ensiling
- None → incorrect; soluble carbohydrate content is the critical factor for 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.
