Laboratory studies on the effect of potassium carbonate solution on the drying of cut forage

The potential drying rate of cut forage grasses and legumes, following treatment with a 2% potassium carbonate (K2CO3) solution, were compared with those of untreated crops under laboratory conditions. Material was fully exposed to a flow of conditioned air (20-degrees-C; 50% relative humidity). Treatment with K2CO3 had little effect on the drying rate of a range of cultivated grass species. The drying of legume species, particularly lucerne was accelerated. The average reduction in lucerne drying time, following K2CO3 treatment, was 63% and was similar for a range of varieties. The differential drying of lucerne leaf and stem fractions was reduced following treatment, and reduced further by selective treatment of the stem. Potassium carbonate treatment was superior to traditional mechanical conditioning for accelerating water loss from cut lucerne. The practical implications are discussed.