Lactic Acid Bacteria Mixture as Inoculants on Low Moisture Italian Ryegrass Silage Fermentation

Abstract

The effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) mixtures on low moisture Italian ryegrass (IRG) silage fermentation was evaluated in field conditions. The experiment was categorized into two groups: Un-inoculated (Control) and Inoculated with LAB mixture for four storage periods (45, 90, 180, and 365 days, respectively). Silage inoculated with the LAB mixture had the lowest pH with highest lactic acid production than the control from beginning at 45-365 days at all moistures. Higher LAB counts were observed in inoculated silages than the control silages at whole experimental periods. It is a key reason for the rapid acidification and higher lactic acid production in silages during the storage periods. Overall results suggest that an adding of LAB mixture had positive effects on the increasing aerobic stability of silage and preserved its quality for an extended duration.