The Effect of Different Biochar Application Rates on the Yield and Quality of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Silage

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different biochar application rates (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 kg da⁻¹) on silage yield and quality traits of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) under the ecological conditions of Bilecik in 2024. The experiment was established according to a randomized complete block design with three replications. Silage yield, fermentation traits (pH, lactic acid, and acetic acid), forage quality parameters (dry matter content, Flieg score, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber), mineral contents (K, P, Ca, and Mg), and secondary metabolite contents (condensed tannins, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and DPPH radical scavenging activity) were evaluated. The highest silage yields were obtained from the 1000 kg da⁻¹ (821.03 kg da⁻¹), 750 kg da⁻¹ (814.43 kg da⁻¹), and 500 kg da⁻¹ (809.47 kg da⁻¹) treatments. Dry matter content ranged from 22.26 to 27.48%, while pH values varied between 4.60 and 5.12. The highest Flieg scores were recorded in the 500 kg da⁻¹ (75.96) and 250 kg da⁻¹ (70.29) treatments. Crude protein content ranged from 14.07 to 14.95%, Lactic acid content was highest in the 250, 500, and 1000 kg da⁻¹ treatments. The mineral concentrations of all silages were within the adequate ranges required to meet the nutritional requirements of livestock. The application of a 500 kg da⁻¹ biochar rate was identified as the optimum treatment when silage yield, fermentation quality, nutritive value, and bioactive constituents were evaluated together.