Nutritive Value and Fermentation Characteristics of Buckwheat Silage Ensiled with Chemical or Biological Additives

Some agronomic characteristics of buckwheat plant (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) determined, and the effects of chemi-cal and biological silage additives on nutritive value and fermentation characteristics of buckwheat silages were investigat-ed. Buckwheat plants at milk stage of maturity was ensiled in 1 L anaerobic jars following the treatment with chemical addi-tives (4 L/t; formic acid + propionic acid + sodium formate, Silofarm Combi Liquid, Farmavet, Turkey) and biologic addi-tives (1.5x105 cfu/g; Pioneer 11G22, L. buchneri, L. plantarum, E. faecium, Pioneer® Hi-Bred, Int., Inc., USA). Dry matter yield was 5.5±0.4 t/ha. Additives had no (P 0.05) effect on nutrive value of silages. However, compared to control silages, pH, ammonia-N and gas losses of silages were reduced (P 0.05) by the inclusion of both additives, in particular chemical additive. In conclusion, buckwheat evaluated as an important alternatively forages with a high nutritive value. Both additives improved the fermentation characteristics of buckwheat silage that was ensiled with low dry matter content but the effect of chemical additive was more pronounced.