The Effect of Different Forms of Titanium Dioxide on the Yield, Chemical and Microbiological Parameters of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) Herbage and Silage

The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of three forms of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and their effect on the yield, chemical and microbiological quality of perennial ryegrass herbage and silage. Two types of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2)NPs) and a commercial product, labeled here as TiO(2)Com, were selected for the studies. The yield and chemical parameters of herbage did not improve significantly in response to the TiO2 treatment, in comparison to the control group (CONT). The crude protein content of silage was significantly lower in the TiO(2)Com-treated group than in the TiO(2)NPs2 group (117 vs. 129 g kg(-1) dry matter (DM)). The use of water-soluble carbohydrates during fermentation was limited in the TiO(2)NPs2 and TiO(2)Com groups. The fermentation pattern was similar for each investigated group, and a significant difference in pH values was noted between the TiO(2)NPs2 (pH = 4.49) and CONT (pH = 4.68) group. Lactic acid concentration was the highest in the TiO(2)NPs1 group (94.8 g kg(-1) DM), and the difference relative to the CONT group (83.2 g kg(-1) DM) was statistically significant. It was concluded that TiO2 and its nanoparticles have the potential to improve the physicochemical and microbiological quality of herbage and silage.