Dominance of bacillus sp. alter microbiological and nutritional quality and improve aerobic stability of the corn silage

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of L. plantarum, L. brevis, and E. faecium on microbiological and nutritional profiling and aerobic stability of corn silage. For this purpose, corn fodder was chopped and ensiled with a dry matter (DM) content of 27–30%. An inoculum consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum IFA 96 (DSM 19456), Enterococcus faecium B1034 (DSM3530), Lactobacillus brevis IFA 92 (D5119456) mix culture was added at rate of 2, 4, and 6 g/ton. The fermentation was carried out at ambient temperature in polythene bags under anaerobic condition for 45 days. It was found that the 4 g/ton microbial inoculant in the corn silages have significant impacts on silage nutritive values in terms of (p < 0.05) higher pH, dry matter, and organic matter contents, while decreasing the fiber contents. This could be related to the unique combination of microbiota present in the inoculum. The total bacterial counts and yeasts were significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increase in the concentration of inoculant while Lactobacillus count was (p < 0.05) increased with increase in 4 g/ton inoculate level. Mostly silages samples were positive for Aspergillus flavus, Listeria monocytogenes, and coliform expect the silage treated with 4 g/ton microbial inoculants. The results showed that silages inoculated with 4 g/ton showed improved nutritive and fermentative characteristics and higher aerobic stability of the corn silage.