Effect of rice bran and microorganism as additives in pearl millet silage

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate rice bran (RB) and microbial inoculation effects on pearl millet silage fermentative losses, fermentation profile, nutrients recovery, chemical composition, in vitro degradation and aerobic stability. Seventy-two experimental silos (PVC buckets with 28 cm diameter and 25 cm height) were used to evaluate nine treatments, from a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement: (I) levels of RB: 0, 100 and 200 g/kg as-fed; and (II) microbial inoculation: (1) Control (CON): no inoculation; (2) LPPP: inclusion 1.04 × 105 colony forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus plantarum and 1.04 × 105 CFU of Pediococcus pentosaceus per g; and (3) LB: inclusion 1.6 × 105 CFU of Lactobacillus buchneri per g. The silage microbial inoculant inclusion had no effect on silage, regardless of RB addition. Rice bran increased silage pH and decreased ammonia-N, propionic, butyric and branched-chain fatty acids content. Rice bran decreased gas losses and recovery of DM, OM, CP and ADF, whereas increased digestible DM recovery. The addition of RB reduced OM, NDF, ADF and ADL silage content, and increased silage DM, CP and EE, and NDF degradation. Therefore, RB increases digestible DM recovery, and improves silage fermentation and nutritional value.