Effects of Boric Acid and Sodium Chloride Additives on the Nutrient Composition, Fermentation Characteristics, Aerobic Stability, Physical Properties, and Relative Feed Value of High Moisture Corn Silages
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of boric acid (45 and 90 mg/kg) and/or 1% NaCl supplementation on silage quality and fermentation characteristics of high-moisture corn silages. The experiment consisted of six groups: control (C), 1% NaCl (S), boric acid at 45 and 90 mg/kg (B45, B90), and their combinations with 1% NaCl (SB45, SB90). The findings demonstrated that 45 mg/kg boric acid reduced ADF content, limited mold growth, and enhanced dry matter digestibility and relative feed value. The S group showed the lowest digestibility, lactic acid concentration, and fermentation efficiency, while the SB90 group exhibited the highest lactate concentration but reduced Flieg score, aerobic stability, and relative feed value, indicating that high-dose boric acid supplementation (90 mg/kg) negatively affected certain aspects of silage quality. In conclusion, low-dose boric acid supplementation appears promising for improving the quality of high-moisture corn silages.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Animal Science, Genetics and Biostatistics
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Emre Yılmaz
*
0000-0003-1004-6531
Türkiye
Soner Uysal
0000-0003-0372-9895
Türkiye
Şeyma Taş
0009-0008-1259-9213
Türkiye
Bora Bölükbaş
0000-0002-0732-0192
Türkiye
Mehmet Akif Yörük
0000-0002-5833-9803
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
February 27, 2026
Publication Date
February 27, 2026
Submission Date
September 15, 2025
Acceptance Date
November 28, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication
