Effect of Bentonite, Nitrogen Source and Stage of Maturity on Nitrogen Redistribution in Corn Silage

Redistribution of nitrogen, when isonitrogenous levels of urea (.5%) or diammonium phosphate (1.1%) were added with 0, .125, .25, .5 and 1.0% sodium bentonite to whole corn plants at ensiling, was studied in 33 pilot silos in Experiment I. In Experiment II, redistribution of 15N urea added to corn plant tissue harvested at 28.8 (low dry matter), 36.4 (medium dry matter) and 49.0% (high dry matter) dry matter was studied. Bentonite was added at 0, .25, .5 and 1.0% to the medium dry matter material. All treatments were ensiled in pilot silos designed to permit collection of gas and seepage fractions.