Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a crucial perennial forage plant with its high protein and mineral content and may be mowed several times through the vegetation period. Along with having a large cultivation area in Türkiye, it constitutes approximately 61% of the total green forage produced. Silage is the best method for keeping grass well and using it as a source of roughage in all seasons. However, ensiling alfalfa, especially with low dry matter content, is very difficult due to its low water-soluble carbohydrate and buffering capacity. This study was carried out to improve the alfalfa plant's silage fermentation process by inoculating new lactic acid bacteria strains. When the alfalfa plant reached 50% flowering, six different lactic acid bacteria strains were inoculated and compared with the uninoculated alfalfa silage. According to the results obtained, it was determined that lactic acid bacteria inoculants improved the fermentation properties of alfalfa silage in general. All inoculated strains caused a significant decrease in pH of the resulting silage. The strain Lactobacillus buchneri (LS-31-1-4) was superior in terms of much dry matter recovery (96.82%) and protein recovery (94.00%). At the same time, Lactobacillus brevis (LS-55-2-2) and Leuconostoc citerum (LS-70-6-1) were the most restrictive strains to yeast and enterobacteria growth in silage, respectively.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
