Review on Crucial Parameters of Silage Quality

The main objective of this review is to investigate the effects of temperature of fermentation environment, chopped length of the forages and fermentation period on the quality of silage. The problem in this agricultural research industry is that there is a lack of interest in doing the investigation by cross-relating other available knowledge in this field. Fermentation process of silage can also apply the concept of chemical processing by investigating the parameters related to the process, like those mentioned above. From this review, it was found that temperature and chopped length do not significantly affect the quality of silage produced but the fermentation period must be considered as a crucial parameter. Recommendation is that further investigation on fermentation period by different type of forage must be considered and the effect of additive on the completion of fermentation process must also be investigated in order to save time, cost and to optimize nutrient content in silage. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B. V. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society