Aerobic Stability Of Silage Research Articles

Inoculation of whole-plant maize with viable lactic acid bacteria: effects on silage fermentation, aerobic stability and performance of dairy cows

Inoculation of whole-plant maize with viable lactic acid bacteria: effects on silage fermentation, aerobic stability and performance of dairy cows

Determination of Nutritional Quality and Aerobic Stability of Sorghum, Maize, and Sorghum-Maize Mixture Silages

The current study aimed to determine the nutritional quality and aerobic stability of sorghum, maize, and their mixture silages without any additives. Sorghum and maize were harvested at dough stage from a local farm in Tekirdağ. Fresh plant materials were chopped to a length of 2-3 cm and packed into polythene bags, and vacuumed. A total of 12 vacuum-packed silos (4 replications in each treatment) were prepared with sorghum (S), maize (M), and a mixture of sorghum-maize (SM) forage (w:w, 50:50 according to dry matter) and stored at room temperature for 60 days. The chemical and microbiological composition of silages with the rate of aerobic deterioration upon aerobic exposure were evaluated. Based on the pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration, all silages could be classified as good quality. The water-soluble carbohydrate level of the SM group increased due to mixing S and M forages, leading to improved lactic acid content. The NDF and ADF values of silages varied between 520.52-588.32 and 234.98-309.01 g kg-1, and the differences between silages were significant (P<0.01). The Hemicellulose/Cellulose ratio of S, M, and SM silages were found 0.94, 1.49, and 1.18, respectively. The lactobacilli and yeast content of silages were significant and varied between 5.18-7.41 and 5.18-7.29 log cfu g-1, and the highest and lowest values were observed in SM and S silages, respectively (P<0.01). No visible mold was detected in all silages after 5 days of aerobic exposure (P>0.05). The pH, CO2, and yeast numbers were varied in groups between 4.88-6.74, 55.71-119.33 g kg-1, and 8.40-9.01 log cfu g-1. It was concluded that it is possible to improve the nutritional and fermentation characteristics of sorghum and maize silage by ensiling their mixture. However, it is highly recommended that silage additives should be used to guarantee and strengthen the fermentation and aerobic stability of silage mostly made by a mixture of these two energetic forage crops.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of a Chemical Additive on the Fermentation and Aerobic Stability of Whole-Plant Maize Silage

Our objective was to conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of a chemical additive containing sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite on the fermentation and aerobic stability of whole-plant maize silage. We used data from 28 experiments, with 56 untreated to treated comparisons, carried out over a 9-year period. The influence of dry matter (DM) content and length of ensiling on the additive effect were assessed by meta-regression and subgroup analysis. Treatment with the additive reduced the pH and concentrations of ammonia-N, lactic acid, and ethanol, but increased the concentration of residual reducing sugars, DM recovery, and aerobic stability (by about 5 days). As the forage DM decreased, there was a greater reduction in ethanol by the additive treatment. The additive reduced the number of yeasts in silages made with forage harvested at >32% DM. The improvement in aerobic stability by the additive increased as ensiling time progressed. Overall, these findings show that the chemical additive has the ability to consistently and markedly improve the aerobic stability of maize silage under a wide range of conditions.

Aerobic stability of alfalfa silage and methods of its improvement

Alfalfa is a non-silage crop, the silage of which became possible after the effect of drying was detected. A special feature of alfalfa is the intensive proteolysis that occurs during silage, and the prolonged development of undesirable microflora due to the slow acidification of feed. The objective of the research was to determine the effectiveness of the use of Biotrof, Biotrof 111, Biotrof 2+ and Biotal Axfast NS Gold in the silage of dried (37.07% SV) alfalfa mass. It was found that the use of these drugs contributed to the rapid acidification of feed to a pH of 3.97-4.08, against a pH of 4.96 in silage without additives, which led to the suppression of the vital activity of undesirable bacteria, a decrease in the breakdown of nutrients to gaseous products by 1.7-2.3 times and the accumulation of ammonia by 1.5-4.0 times. Due to the high resistance of alfalfa silage to aerobic spoilage, the use of bacterial preparations did not lead to an improvement in the aerobic stability of the silage, but by restraining the development of some yeasts, including pathogenic ones, and fungi of the Aspergillus sp. species, it helped to improve the sanitary status of the feed. Yeasts of the genera C. gattii and D. hansenii serve as marker organisms, an increase in the number of which indicates the occurrence of aerobic spoilage in the feed.

Aerobic stability of tifton 85 silage with and without pre-drying in the sun

The objective of this study was to evaluate pH, ammoniacal nitrogen, and aerobic stability of silage of Tifton 85 grass silage with two dry matter contents at different silos opening times. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a subdivided plots scheme, in which the silages constituted the plots and aerobic exposure times the subplots, with four replications. To verify the aerobic stability of the silages, the temperature and pH were analyzed at seven hours after the silos were opened (1, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours). The pH reached adequate levels for conservation only after 90 days of fermentation for the silages with and without pre-drying in the sun. Ammoniacal nitrogen remained below the recommended limits in both silages. As for the silage temperature, no loss of aerobic stability was observed. However, the observed pH revealed a break instability after 72 hours when the silos were opened at 28 days, with no changes for the remaining silage periods. It is possible to obtain suitable silages from Tifton 85 with or without pre-warming in the sun, however, a minimum fermentation period of 90 days should be adopted. The studied silages presented high aerobic stability, but when kept silage for only 28 days, they should be consumed by the animals within 48 hours after the supply.

Effects of different banana crop residue hays on ensiling BRS capiaçu grass on fermentation profile, aerobic stability and nutritional value of silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the BRS capiaçu grass silage combined with different hays of banana crop residue on fermentation profile, aerobic stability and nutritional value. The treatments consisted of elephant grass cv. BRS capiaçu (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) ensiled with 37.44% banana peel hay, 36.06% banana pseudostem hay and 37.00% banana leaf hay, on a dry matter (DM) basis and control silage (no additive). The experimental design used was completely randomized, with five treatments and five replicates. Forage was collected when it reached 3.5 meters in height (90 days). Experimental PVC silos of known weight, 50 cm long, 10 cm diameter, were used for silage making. For all treatments, silage aerobic stability breakdown started after 64 hours exposure to air. The BRS capiaçu grass control silage or silage combined with pseudostem hay (mean of 73.15 kg t GM-1) presented effluent losses 40.46% higher than those observed for BRS capiaçu grass silage + banana leaf hay and 69.17% in relation the BRS capiaçu grass silage + banana peel hay. The inclusion of banana crop residue (hay) when ensiling BRS capiaçu grass decreased 13.93% gas losses compared to the control silage (mean of 3.11% DM). Higher values of total digestible nutrients, metabolizable energy and digestible energy content was found in BRS capiaçu grass silage + with banana peel hay. The greater in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility was observed for BRS capiaçu grass silage combined with pseudostem hay. The inclusion of 37.44% banana peel hay improves the fermentation profile and aerobic stability of BRS capiaçu grass silage.

Prognostic capacity assessment of a multiparameter risk score for aerobic stability of maize silage undergoing heterofermentative inoculation (Lactobacillus buchneri) in variable ensiling conditions

The aerobic stability of silage is partially a consequence of its fermentative profile. The use of Lactobacillus buchneri (Lb) inoculant is widely adopted to promote a favourable quality of maize silage. Few studies investigated the effect of pre-ensiling composition on aerobic stability and the fermentative profile of silage. We evaluated the use of Lb in maize silage under variable ensiling conditions including differences in composition at harvest and exposure to air to test its possible effect on aerobic stability and fermentative profile, also by the means of a multiparameter prognostic risk score. Samples of maize from a single maize hybrid of late-ripening (n = 108) were collected in a single field area, at three maturity stages (MSe) and after three samples sealing delay periods (DLe) of air exposure (0, 6, 20 h). The heterofermentative inoculation with Lb was dispensed at three dosages (MXe: half dose, standard dose, double dose) and compared to a control (pure water). The combinations of MXe × MSe × DLe, were repeated three times. The 108 samples were ensiled in a 21 L bucket for 60 days, and analysed for the fermentative profile, dry matter (DM), and DM recovery (DMr) at three times (OTe: at the silos opening, after 48 h, after 96 h). The aerobic stability of the silage was considered as the outcome for the survival analysis by the means of an Akaike's information criterion backward Cox model (AIC-Cox), and the end-point was the event (defined as the aerobic instability). Concerning the main fermentative traits of post-ensiled maize (pH, ammonia, mannitol, ethanol, lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acid), and the DMr, we found effects (P < 0.05) for the use of inoculant (except for DMr, mannitol, ethanol, and butyric acid), for the maturity stage (except for ammonia), and the sealing delay (except for mannitol, lactic, and butyric acid). In the AIC-Cox model, the lignin (sa) and ADF were used as predictors, and the concordance index was 0.75 (P = 0.0001). Based on the AIC-Cox model, drawing a nomogram, it was possible to assess the probability of aerobic stability of maize silage through a prognostic score which allows a fast and easy risk stratification of maize using the pre-ensiled composition as predictors.

Effects of a Dual-Purpose Inoculant on the Quality and Aerobic Stability of Corn Silage at the Laboratory and Field Scales

This study investigated the effects of a dual-purpose inoculant (DPI) on the fermentation profile, nutritive value, and aerobic stability of silage. The inoculant effect was first examined with minisilos, and the results were later validated with 400-kg silo bales and a 40-t bunker silo. Briefly, whole-plant corn harvested at the one-half to two-thirds milk line stage was chopped and then treated with or without inoculant containing Lactobacillus plantarum LP1028 and Lactobacillus buchneri LBC1029 at application rates of 2.5 × 105 cfu and 5.0 × 105 cfu per gram of fresh forage, respectively. The results showed that applying DPI had no effect on the nutritive value in all trials. DPI inoculation also slowed yeast and mold growth in silage under aerobic exposure. Inoculation may double the aerobic stability time after 105 d of ensiling (53.25 vs. 113.20 h) in a bunker silo. This study successfully examined the effectiveness of DPI in minisilos, and the results were consistent when moving from the laboratory to the field. Applying DPI made the fermentation more heterolactic without compromising the silage nutritive value, and increasing acetic acid acted as an antifungal agent to inhibit spoilage microbial growth and improve silage aerobic stability.

Meta-analysis of the effects of silage additives on high-moisture grain silage quality and performance of dairy cows

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of applying silage additives to high moisture grain silage (HMGS) on its quality (objective 1) and performance of dairy cows (objective 2). Additionally, this study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing dry grain (DG) with HMGS on performance of lactating dairy cows (objective 3). Silage quality (dataset composed by 8 studies with 32 treatment means), was evaluated by weighted means difference (WMD) between the control (HMGS with no silage additives) and treated-HMGS (HMGS treated with silage additives) groups. The effects of replacing DG with HMGS on performance of lactating dairy cows (dataset composed by 18 studies with 34 treatment means) was evaluated by WMD between the control group (diets with no HMGS) and HMGS group (diets with HMGS replacing DG). Treatment means were weighted by the inverse of the variance. Applying silage additives to HMGS had no effect on silage pH (P = 0.27), DM recovery (P = 0.18), ethanol (P = 0.18) and counts of yeasts (P = 0.86) and molds (P = 0.13). However, increased silage concentrations of N-NH3 (WMD = 0.49 g/kg of total nitrogen; P < .0001), acetate (WMD = 0.75g/kg of DM; P = 0.003), and propionate (WMD = 0.08g/kg of DM; P = 0.01) were reported in treated-HMGS. Inclusion of silage additives reduced DM (P = 0.01) and aerobic stability (WMD = -26.43 h; P < .0001) of HMGS. Replacing DG with HMGS in dairy cows diets reduced intakes of dry matter (WMD = -0.38 kg/d; P = 0.003) and NDF (WMD = -0.61kg/d; P <.0001). However, increased digestibility of DM (P <.0001), crude protein (P < .0001), NDF (P = 0.05) were reported in cows receiving HMGS (replacing DG). Replacing DG with HMGS did not change milk production (P = 0.34). However, concentration (P = 0.01) and yield (P = 0.01) of milk fat and concentration of milk lactose (P = 0.03) were reduced with feeding HMGS. Concerning the effects of feeding HMGS on ruminal fermentation characteristics, ruminal pH (WMD = -0.07; P < .0001), ruminal N-NH3 concentration (WMD = -1.15 mg/dL; P = 0.04) and ruminal acetate (WMD = -1.20 mol/100mol; P = 0.02) were reduced with HMGS feeding. In conclusion, applying silage additives to HMGS had no effect on silage quality and performance of lactating dairy cows. A pronounced reduction in silage aerobic stability was reported with inoculating HMGS (P < .0001). Replacing DG with HMGS increased diet digestibility. However, feed intake and concentration of milk fat was reduced when HMGS replaced DG in amounts greater than 300g HMGS/kg of DM.

Screening of High 1,2-Propanediol Production by Lactobacillus buchneri Strains and Their Effects on Fermentation Characteristics and Aerobic Stability of Whole-Plant Corn Silage

The study was conducted to screen high 1,2-propanediol produced by Lactobacillus buchneri strains, isolated from baled silages stored for 1 or 2 years, and to evaluate their effects on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage. In total, 31 L. buchneri strains were isolated from alfalfa, whole-plant corn and oat silages. Based on growth performance and 1,2-propanediol and acetic acid production, two strains, L. buchneri 9-2 and L. buchneri 10-1, from alfalfa silage, were further assessed in an ensiling trial on whole-plant corn. The corn silage inoculated with L. buchneri 9-2 or L. buchneri 10-1 had a higher concentration of 1,2-propanediol (34.7 or 34.6 g/kg dry matter (DM)) and acetic acid (47.2 or 45.9 g/kg DM) in comparison with L. buchneri 40788 (reference strain) treated silage (19.5 and 35.9 g/kg DM) after 90 d of fermentation. In addition, these two strains performed better in improving silage aerobic stability relative to control and L. buchneri 40788. The results above indicated that L. buchneri 9-2 and L. buchneri 10-1 could be candidate strains to increase 1,2-propanediol and acetic acid concentrations and improve the aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage.

Dynamics of Bacterial and Fungal Communities and Metabolites During Aerobic Exposure in Whole-Plant Corn Silages With Two Different Moisture Levels.

The study was aimed to investigate the effect of moisture content on microbial communities, metabolites, fermentation quality, and aerobic stability during aerobic exposure in whole-plant corn silages preserved long time to improve the quality and aerobic stability of the silage during feed-out. Corn plants with two different moisture levels (high-moisture content, 680 g/kg; low-moisture content, 620 g/kg) were harvested at one-third and two-thirds milk-line stages, respectively, ensiled in laboratory-scale silos, and then sampled at 350 day after ensiling and at 2 and 5 day after opening to investigate bacterial and fungal communities, metabolites, and aerobic stability. High-moisture content increased aerobic stability and pH and decreased lactic acid and microbial counts in silages (P < 0.05). During aerobic exposure, the low-moisture silages had higher pH and lactic acid bacterial count and lower lactic acid than the high-moisture silages (P < 0.05); Acinetobacter sp. was the most main bacterial species in the silages; Candida glabrata and unclassified Candida had an increasing abundance and negatively correlation with aerobic stability of high-moisture silages (P < 0.05), while C. glabrata, Candida xylopsoci, unclassified Saccharomycetaceae, and unclassified Saccharomycetales negative correlated with aerobic stability of low-moisture silages (P < 0.05) with a rising Saccharomycetaceae; the silages had a reducing concentration of total metabolites (P < 0.05). Moreover, the high-moisture silages contained greater total metabolites, saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acid), essential fatty acids (linoleic acid), essential amino acids (phenylalanine), and non-essential amino acids (alanine, beta-alanine, and asparagine) than the low-moisture silages at 5 day of opening (P < 0.05). Thus, the high-moisture content improved the aerobic stability. Acinetobacter sp. and Candida sp. dominated the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively; Candida sp. resulted in the aerobic deterioration in high-moisture silages, while the combined activities of Candida sp. and Saccharomycetaceae sp. caused the aerobic deterioration in low-moisture silages. The greater aerobic stability contributed to preserve the palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, phenylalanine, alanine, beta-alanine, and asparagine during aerobic exposure.

Treatment of alfalfa silage with tannin acid at different levels modulates ensiling characteristics, methane mitigation, ruminal fermentation patterns and microbiota

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of tannin acid (TA) derived from Chinese gallnut, with different doses for modulating ensiling characteristics, methane (CH4) emission, ruminal fermentation profile and microbiota of alfalfa silage. Second-cut alfalfa was wilted for 6 h to dry matter (DM) 439 g/kg fresh weight and chopped to 2 cm length. The chopped forage was ensiled with 5 TA levels (0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 g/kg DM), and each treatment was ensiled in triplicate in vacuum-sealed polyethylene plastic bags for 60 d. All TA treatments improved the fermentation quality of alfalfa silage, indicated by lower (P < 0.05) DM losses, pH values, and non-protein nitrogen concentrations. The acetic acid concentration markedly decreased (P < 0.05) with the greater levels of TA, leading to a reduction in the aerobic stability of silage. Ruminal CH4 production decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing TA levels from 20 to 60 g/kg DM, by which the CH4 concentration decreased by 10.3 to 12.4% compared with control. The DM, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber degradation linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing TA levels, while propionic acid molar proportion and microbial protein production linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing TA levels, but the greatest level of 60 g/kg DM did not further increase these variables. The abundance of methanogens, anaerobic fungi, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Prevotella ruminicola as well as the activity of cellulase and protease linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with TA inclusion, whereas Fibrobacter succinogenes was enhanced. Spearman correlation analysis showed high correlations between ruminal microbial abundance and CH4 production/fermentation parameters. The results indicated that TA, used as an environmentally friendly modifier prior to ensiling alfalfa can improve silage quality and modulate rumen fermentation pattern. However, TA from Chinese gallnut with levels greater than 40 g/kg DM is not recommended for addition to alfalfa silage.

Nutritional value, total dry matter losses, effluent production and pollutant potential in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Paiaguás grass

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to evaluate losses, production and polluting potential of the effluent, nutritional value and aerobic stability of silages of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Paiaguás grass, in different particle sizes and compaction density in silage. Three theoretical particle sizes (TTP 5; 8 and 12mm) and three compaction densities (DC 550; 600 and 650kg/m3) were evaluated, distributed in a factorial design (3 x 3), with four repetitions. The highest volume of effluent was found in silages with higher compaction densities (600 and 650kg/m3) and lower TTP (5 and 8mm). The highest chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand were registered in the treatment with TTP of 5mm and higher DC (600 and 650kg/m3). Greater in vitro digestibility of DM was verified in the silage chopped at 5 and 8mm. There was no break in aerobic stability for 216 hours. Silage with a low compaction density 550kg/m3 and processing with a theoretical particle size of 12mm reduces effluent losses. In general, the nutritional value of Paiaguás grass was not influenced by the treatments. Different particle sizes and compaction density did not change the aerobic stability of silages.

Dual sensor measurement shows that temperature outperforms pH as an early sign of aerobic deterioration in maize silage

High quality silage containing abundant lactic acid is a critical component of ruminant diets in many parts of the world. Silage deterioration, a result of aerobic metabolism (including utilization of lactic acid) during storage and feed-out, reduces the nutritional quality of the silage, and its acceptance by animals. In this study, we introduce a novel non-disruptive dual-sensor method that provides near real-time information on silage aerobic stability, and demonstrates for the first time that in situ silage temperature (Tsi) and pH are both associated with preservation of lactic acid. Aerobic deterioration was evaluated using two sources of maize silage, one treated with a biological additive, at incubation temperatures of 23 and 33 °C. Results showed a time delay between the rise of Tsi and that of pH following aerobic exposure at both incubation temperatures. A 11 to 25% loss of lactic acid occurred when Tsi reached 2 °C above ambient. In contrast, by the time the silage pH had exceeded its initial value by 0.5 units, over 60% of the lactic acid had been metabolized. Although pH is often used as a primary indicator of aerobic deterioration of maize silage, it is clear that Tsi was a more sensitive early indicator. However, the extent of the pH increase was an effective indicator of advanced spoilage and loss of lactic acid due to aerobic metabolism for maize silage.

Effects of microbial inoculant and fibrolytic enzymes on fermentation quality and nutritional value of BRS capiaçu grass silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bacterial-enzymatic inoculants with different concentrations of fibrolytic enzymes on the fermentation quality and nutritional value of the silage of BRS capiaçu grass. Two bacterial-enzymatic inoculants with different levels of enzyme complex were evaluated (Silotrato® (5%) and Biotrato® (8%)) and control silage (without additive) according to a completely randomized design with eight replicates. To evaluate the silage aerobic stability, a completely randomized split plot design was used with three treatments (plots) and seven times after opening (subplots). There was no interaction between treatments and times after opening on values of pH (P=0.79). Regarding bacterial-enzymatic inoculants, the silage pH was 21.66% and 16.16% higher in silage without additive (mean of 6.00) compared to silage with 5% and 8% enzyme complex (P &lt; 0.01). There was no difference between treatments on pH (P = 0.08), lactic acid (p = 0.08) and acetic acid (p = 0.64), means of 3.11, 47.31 g dry matter (DM)-1 and 11.19 g DM-1, respectively. There was no difference between treatments for any of the chemical composition variables (P = 0.86). Mean values for DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients were 22.31%, 6.65%, 71.15% and 42.07%, respectively. There was a higher concentration of butyric acid in the control silage compared to Silotrato® silage. The control silage and silage treated with Biotrato® presented effluent losses (P = 0.05) 13.99% higher than silage with Silotrato®. For ensiling BRS capiaçu grass, it is recommended to use lactic acid bacteria containing 5% fibrolytic enzymes.

Chitosan and microbial inoculants in whole-plant soybean silage

AbstractWhole-plant soybean silage (WPSS) is a potential high-protein roughage source for ruminant diets. However, WPSS can be difficult to ensile and fermentation is a challenge. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chitosan and microbial inoculants on fermentation profile, fermentation losses, chemical composition, and in vitro degradation of WPSS. Forty experimental silos (PVC tubing with 28 cm i.d. and 25 cm height) were produced. Soybean plants from 10 plots were ensiled in a completely randomized block design to evaluate the following treatments: (1) control (CON): WPSS without additives; (2) chitosan (CHI): WPSS additive with 6 g/kg DM of chitosan; (3) LBB: WPSS treated with 5.0 × 107 colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus buchneri (NCIM 40788) per kg of fresh matter and (4) LPP: WPSS treated with 1.6 × 108 CFU of Lactobacillus plantarum and 1.6 × 108 CFU of Pediococcus acidilactici per kg of fresh matter. Silos were opened 120 days after ensiling. Microbial inoculants reduced silage pH, whereas LPP-treated silos showed the lowest concentration of NH3-N, ethanol, butyric, acetic, branched-chain, and propionic organic acids. LBB-treatment decreased lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count relative to other treatments, and LPP-treatment showed the lowest fermentation losses, improving dry matter (DM) recovery. Relative to other treatments, LPP increased silage DM, organic matter, and decreased acid detergent insoluble crude protein (CP), improving DM and neutral detergent fibre in vitro degradation. Treatments showed no effect on silage aerobic stability. Thus, LPP-treatment improves fermentation profile, reduces fermentation losses, and increases the nutritional value of WPSS.

High-moisture corn grain silage inoculated with Propionibacterium acidipropionici and Lactobacillus plantarum in different storage times

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, growth of microorganisms, and the aerobic stability of high-moisture corn grain silage inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum + Propionibacterium acidipropionici. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with four replications (50 experimental units) and the treatments were: use or not of microbial inoculant (2 x 105 colony forming unit (CFU) g-1 Lactobacillus plantarum + Propionibacterium acidipropionici) and the storage length for 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 d. Aerobic stability of silage was evaluated at 28 and 56 d of storage length. The lactic acid bacteria population was influenced by storage length and the greatest values were estimated at 8 d of storage length. Regardless of inoculant application, no enterobacteria were present from 3 d post-ensiling. With respect to mold growth, an interaction between inoculant and storage length was observed wherein molds were most abundant after 3 d of storage in silage that received inoculant. However, at 14 d of storage the use of bacterial inoculant reduced the occurrence of molds. pH values obtained after 3 d of ensiling were less than 4.0 for all the treatments. The high-moisture corn grain silage possessed good fermentative quality. Further, adequate pH values were achieved from the third day of ensilage and were not influenced by the presence of bacterial inoculant.

Temperature during conservation in laboratory silos affects fermentation profile and aerobic stability of corn silage treated with Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus hilgardii, and their combination

The environment temperature and its effect on the temperature of silage is very important for the fermentation and subsequent quality of a silage. Obligate heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inocula, because of their ability to inhibit yeasts, have been developed to prevent the aerobic deterioration of silages. The temperature during silage conservation may also play an important role in the fermentation profile of silages. This study has evaluated the effect of temperature, during the conservation of whole crop corn silage, untreated or treated with different LAB inocula, on the fermentation profile and on the aerobic stability of the silage. Corn was harvested at 42% dry matter and either not treated (control) or treated with Lactobacillus buchneri NCIMB 40788 (LB) at 300,000 cfu/g fresh matter (FM); Lactobacillus hilgardii CNCM I-4785 at 150,000 cfu/g FM (LH150); L. hilgardii CNCM I-4785 at 300,000 cfu/g FM (LH300); or LB+LH at 150,000 cfu/g FM each. In an attempt to experimentally simulate temperature fluctuations in the mass or at the periphery of a silage bunker, corn was conserved in laboratory silos at a constant temperature (20 ± 1°C; MASS) or at lower and variable outdoor temperatures (PERIPH; ranging from 0.5 to 19°C), and the silos were opened after 15, 30, and 100 d of conservation. Lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol contents increased in all the silages over the conservation period. The lactic acid content was higher (+10%) in the silages kept at a constant temperature than those conserved at the lower and variable outdoor temperatures. The acetic acid was higher in the treated silages than in the control ones conserved at a constant temperature for 100 d. Moreover, 1,2-propanediol was only detected in the treated silages after at least 30 d at a constant temperature, whereas only traces were detected in the LB+LH treatment for the other temperature conditions. The yeast count decreased during conservation at a slower rate in PERIPH than in MASS and on average reached 2.96 and 4.71 log cfu/g for MASS and PERIPH, respectively, after 100 d of conservation. The highest aerobic stability values were observed for LH300 (191 h) in the MASS silage after 100 d of conservation, whereas the highest aerobic stability was observed in LB+LH (150 h) in the PERIPH silages. After 7 d of air exposure, a pH higher than 4.5 and a higher yeast than 8.0 log cfu/g were detected in all the silages opened after 15 and 30 d of conservation. A pH value close to that of silo opening was detected in the LB, LH150, and LH300 silages conserved under MASS conditions after 100 d, whereas LB+LH was the most effective under PERIPH conditions. The temperature and its fluctuation during conservation of silage in laboratory silos influenced the fermentation, which in turn had an effect on the quality of silage and on the extent of the effect of LAB inocula.

Effects of cutting height and bacterial inoculant on corn silage aerobic stability and nutrient digestibility by sheep

In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of cutting height (25 or 40 cm above ground) and bacterial inoculation (a combined inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici) on the chemical and microbial compositions, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage and nitrogen balance, intake, and apparent nutrient digestibility by sheep. To evaluate silage characteristics and sheep metabolism, we performed analyses based on a completely randomized block design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement (two cutting [...]

Influence of inoculation with Lactobacillus on fermentation, production of 1,2-propanediol and 1-propanol as well as Maize silage aerobic stability.

The aim of this study is to determine the influence of a commercial bacterial inoculant (L1) and a preparation (L2) containing three Lactobacillus strains capable of producing 1,2-propanediol and short-chain fatty acids on maize silage aerobic stability improvement. The research showed that during 90-day ensilage, the applied preparations significantly reduced the content of DM, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs), pH and DM recovery (P < 0.05). The concentration of lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA) and propionic acid (PA) in the inoculated samples increased significantly (P < 0.05). 1,2-Propandiol and 1-propanol were not found in control silages (without additives). The addition of L1 and L2 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the concentration of these substances. The L1 and L2 mixtures significantly extended (P < 0.05) the silage aerobic stability.