Storage of hay. IV.—effect of storage in nitrogen on the soluble sugar and dry matter contents of ryegrass

Abstract Ground ryegrass hay was stored at 25o and about 76% R.H. in nitrogen and also in air to simulate normal storage conditions, and the soluble sugar and dry matter contents were determined at intervals for about one year. Fructosans and oligosaccharides were not affected by these storage conditions. Sucrose was almost completely hydrolysed to glucose and fructose in 21 weeks. This reaction was independent of the storage conditions and could have been due to enzymic activity. The hexoses did not change appreciably in nitrogen, but in air both glucose and fructose began to decrease after 21 weeks and only a trace remained after 45 weeks. These losses appeared to be mainly due to mould. Losses of dry matter followed the same pattern as those of hexose but were consistently less.