Effect of different forms of bacterial inoculants on the fermentation process of ensiled crushed maize moisture grains

Abstract

Crushed high-moisture maize grains were ensiled in laboratory silos with different (water-soluble and granulated) forms of biological inoculants. The characteristics of the quality of silage fermentation process were analysed. The water-soluble inoculant product (WSI) Bonsilage and a microgranulated product (MGI) were compared with untreated control (UC). The water-soluble inoculant increased (P < 0.01) acetic acid (AA) production and the ratio LA/AA, decreased pH value, and inhibited production of ammonia (P < 0.05). The best results and the highest quality of preserved silage were obtained when the WSI preparation was used. In samples of WSI silage, the values of pH, AA content, LA/AA ratio, and ammonia content were much better; these differences were statistically highly significant (P < 0.01). In WSI silage, other parameters of the fermentation process were better as well; the contents of lactic acid (LA) and of all fermentation acids were higher than in the other variants while to content of alcohol was the lowest. However, these differences were statistically insignificant.