Effect of harvest date on Arundo donax L. (giant reed) composition, ensilage performance, and enzymatic digestibility

• Harvest date affected composition of giant reed and ensilage performance.
• Water soluble carbohydrates in giant reed increased from August to December.
• Late-harvest resulted in higher ensilage quality than early-harvest.
• Late-harvested giant reed could be less digestible than early-harvested giant reed.
• Ensiled giant reed harvested at different times showed a comparable digestibility.

Composition and ensilage performance of giant reed harvested in August, October, November, and December, were evaluated and compared. Generally, late-harvested giant reed had higher dry matter content, lower nitrogen content, and higher water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) content than early-harvested giant reed. During 90 days of ensilage, giant reed harvested in October, November, and December showed dry matter losses of about 1%, while giant reed harvested in August showed a higher dry matter loss of about 8%. During the ensilage process, more lactic acid was produced in late-harvested giant reed than in early-harvested giant reed. Late-harvested giant reed had a higher lignin content and lower enzymatic digestibility than early-harvested giant reed. However, enzymatic digestibility of all the giant reed biomass was improved by the 90-day ensilage process, reaching levels of 43–46%. In summary, ensilage could be used for storing giant reed biomass harvested at different times and for improving its digestibility.

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