The primary goal in harvesting and ensiling a crop is to preserve as nearly as possible the quantity and quality of the crop at the time of cutting. The main preharvest and postharvest factors of forage crops include plant maturity, plant chemistry (cultivars, genotype), crop management (irrigation, spraying, fertilization, harvest and mowing methods, harvest time), plant microbiology (epiphytic and endophytic microbiota, silage microorganisms), the environment where the crop is grown and harvest (weather, temperature, light, soil, rainfall, nature disasters), and ensiling factors (density, sealing, unloading, and silage additives). In addition, silo management is also an important factor that influences forage crop quality, including the degree and speed of silo filling, the maintenance of the seal during storage, and the manner and rate of silage removal from the silo.
In recent years, most researchers mainly focus on improving the quality of forage and silage by purchasing excellent variety of forage crops, and adding various biological and chemical additives into silage. However, they overlook the importance of field management, as well as harvesting and ensiling factors in enhancing forage crop quality and fermentation quality. Therefore, the aim of this Research Topic is to discuss the preharvest and postharvest factors affecting forage crop quality, physiology, and ensiling characteristics. This Research Topic will collect the relevant research papers related but not limited to the following topics:
• Postharvest factors that affect silage effluent production and nutrient loss during ensiling
• Microbiological analysis of forage crop and silage, the effect of additives on microbial compositions and silage safety
• The influence of novel agronomic practices and technologies on crop yield, nutritive values, and ensiling characteristics of forage crops and silage
Please note: Descriptive studies that report promoting the growth, yield, or quality to agronomical treatments will not be considered if they do not progress physiological understanding of these responses.
The primary goal in harvesting and ensiling a crop is to preserve as nearly as possible the quantity and quality of the crop at the time of cutting. The main preharvest and postharvest factors of forage crops include plant maturity, plant chemistry (cultivars, genotype), crop management (irrigation, spraying, fertilization, harvest and mowing methods, harvest time), plant microbiology (epiphytic and endophytic microbiota, silage microorganisms), the environment where the crop is grown and harvest (weather, temperature, light, soil, rainfall, nature disasters), and ensiling factors (density, sealing, unloading, and silage additives). In addition, silo management is also an important factor that influences forage crop quality, including the degree and speed of silo filling, the maintenance of the seal during storage, and the manner and rate of silage removal from the silo.
In recent years, most researchers mainly focus on improving the quality of forage and silage by purchasing excellent variety of forage crops, and adding various biological and chemical additives into silage. However, they overlook the importance of field management, as well as harvesting and ensiling factors in enhancing forage crop quality and fermentation quality. Therefore, the aim of this Research Topic is to discuss the preharvest and postharvest factors affecting forage crop quality, physiology, and ensiling characteristics. This Research Topic will collect the relevant research papers related but not limited to the following topics:
• Postharvest factors that affect silage effluent production and nutrient loss during ensiling
• Microbiological analysis of forage crop and silage, the effect of additives on microbial compositions and silage safety
• The influence of novel agronomic practices and technologies on crop yield, nutritive values, and ensiling characteristics of forage crops and silage
Please note: Descriptive studies that report promoting the growth, yield, or quality to agronomical treatments will not be considered if they do not progress physiological understanding of these responses.