Influence of Ammonia Treatment and Time of Ensiling on Proteolysis in Corn Silage

Chopped whole corn (32 to 34% dry matter) was treated with 0, .25,.52,or 1.08% added nitrogen as ammonia (of silage dry matter).About 3 kg of material was placed in polyethylene bags, which then were evacuated and served as experimental silos.Triplicate bags were opened at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, and 54 days after ensiling and analyzed for dry matter, pH, lactic acid, total and insoluble nitrogen, and free amino acids in the water phase.Added ammonia increased initial pH of silages.Lactic acid production during early ensiling was delayed by high ammonia, but intermediate ammonia (.52%) resulted in highest lactate.Ammonia decreased proteolysis and deamination of amino acids.Increases in alanine were large in the water phase of silage treated with highest ammonia.These were increases not from proteolytic effects but synthesis of alanine stimulated by high ammonia.