The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAAARRD) collaborated with the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB -BIOTECH) to develop an innovative approach to silage production. This initiative aims to shorten the fermentation period of corn stover and rice straw silage while enhancing their nutritive value.
Led by UPLB-BIOTECH Director Fides Marciana Tambalo, the project, “Rapid Enzymatic Fermentation and Nutrition Enhancement of Corn Stover and Rice Straw Silage,” seeks to optimize corn stover and rice straw silage fermentation through the application of enzyme and a specially formulated microbial starter culture. The project aligns with DOST-PCAARRD’s priority area on enhancement of the country’s animal feed resources.
Corn stover and rice straw are byproducts of corn and rice farming that are abundant but underutilized as animal feed. The project aims to refine silage processing using cellulase and xylanase enzymes to maximize digestibility, while microbial starter cultures will be developed to improve the quality of the resulting silage.
Funded by DOST-PCAARRD, the project is being monitored by the Council’s Livestock Research Division (LRD). Recently, the LRD team conducted a field monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activity to assess the project’s status. Mr. Rundolfo P. Llamas, DOST-PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Dairy, and Mr. Stephen A. Mendoza visited the UPLB-BIOTECH laboratory and conducted a project review during the M&E activity.
In its first year of implementation, the project has already achieved significant milestones. Initial optimization studies on enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover and rice straw using cellulase and xylanase enzymes have been conducted. Researchers have also evaluated the effects of these enzyme additives on the nutritive, chemical, and microbial quality of silage. Additionally, lactic acid bacteria have been isolated to develop microbial starter culture intended for silage production.
The project is expected to benefit livestock farmers. By improving the efficiency of silage production, farmers can increase income through the valorization of corn and rice straw byproducts ultimately leading to enhanced animal productivity. Furthermore, the project offers environmental benefits by providing a sustainable method for converting agricultural wastes into quality animal feed.