Carbohydrate fractionation, fermentation and aerobic stability of silages with different maize hybrids

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and the fermentative variables of different maize hybrids and their interference in the aerobic stability of silage. The hybrids used were the Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP, being simple, triple and double hybrids, respectively. The chemical composition and the aerobic stability were evaluated 60 days after the silos were sealed. One kilo of sample from each replicate was placed in polypropylene containers lined with plastic bags and transferred to a climatic chamber at 25 ± 2°C, and the silage temperatures were measured three times a day for seven days. In the chemical composition, only the fraction A of the non-fibrous carbohydrates presented a difference between the treatments. The Maximus VIP3 hybrid was superior in relation to the others for acetic acid production and did not differ from the Defender VIP hybrid in lactic acid concentration. A longer time was required for the Maximus VIP3 silage temperature to increase by 2°C (125.3 hours), while the other silages did not differ significantly (53.3 and 45.3 hours for Defender VIP and Feroz VIP). The hybrid Maximus VIP3 is recommended for silage production due to its characteristics, including a high concentration of sugars and a greater aerobic stability.