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Discusses forage limitations to fiber digestion and utilization. Determinant of energy availability in forages; Comparison between grass and legumes; Amount of fiber in plants; Role of lignin.

Abstract: Renewable feedstock resources require novel storage technologies to optimize industrial use. Solid state fermentation of biomass feedstock may provide organic chemicals and fibers while reducing the risk of current dry-storage procedures. Here, we compare the chemical composition and fermentation of six sorghum hybrids (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) following 1, 7, and 21 days of storage. Ensilage of 7 days resulted in a pH of 3.8 and declined further to 3.75 at day 21. Lactate increased during ensilage from 2.0 to 3.9g100g−1. Acetic acid increased between 1 and 7 days of ensiling but did not change until the end of the ensiling period. Total organic acids averaged 2.5g100g−1 after day 1 and increased to 4.2 and 4.7g`100g−1 after days 7 and 21, respectively. Neutral detergent fiber ranged from 38 to 50g100g−1 among hybrids and total non-structural carbohydrates varied from 18 to 32g100g−1. Hemicellulose and cellulose ranged from 13 to 19g100g−1 and 20 and 28g100g−1, respectively. Genotypic variation in sorghum may offer designing dual-purpose hybrids for production of biomass and economically valuable byproducts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]