Degradation Of Silage Research Articles

Determination of the Effects of Grape Pomace Addition to Sorghum Sudan Grass on Silage Quality

The aim of this study was to determine the silage quality and in situ degradability of silages prepared with addition of grape pomace into variety of sorghum-sudan grass as rapid fermentable carbohydrate source. Grape pomace obtained at the region was ensiled with sorghum- sudan grass grown at Keskin Fodder Plants Production and Processing Facility at same period at the levels of 0, 10, 20 and 40%. Glass jars (1L) were used for ensiling of silages. Four silage samples were prepared for each treatment groups. After 45 days of ensiling, silage samples were opened and pH, organic acid, nutrient contents, and in situ degradation levels were determined. Among silage fermentation parameters, pH and volatile fatty acid concentrations did not differ among silage prepared from different sorghum-sudan grass varieties (P>0.05), grape pomace significantly increased the pH of sorghum-sudan grass silages and decreased lactic acid concentrations of sorghum-sudan grass silages (P<0.05). Nutrient contents, except CP content, significantly differed between sorghum-sudan grass varieties, addition of grape pomace into sorghum-sudan grass significantly alter the nutrient contents of silages (P<0.05). While in situ OM, NDF and ADF degradabilities were similar between sorghum-sudan grass varieties, addition of grape pomace significantly decreased OM degradability in both sorghum-sudan grass varieties (P<0.05). In conclusion, addition of grape pomace into sorghum-sudan grass up to 40% had some negative effects on silage quality, but it was taught that grape pomace can be utilized as alternatve feedstuffs for ruminants by adding sorghum-sudan grass up to 20%.

Forage selection behavior of sheep with visually moldy or nonmoldy grass silage

Baled silage can be contaminated with several mycotoxins, which cause health and economic problems for farm animals. We investigated the relationship between the visible mold area and deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration of Italian ryegrass baled silage. We subjected the sheep offered with three types of silage (moldy, nonmoldy, and visually nonmoldy part within the mold silage) to a feeding experiment. We assayed silage degradability in vitro by using the rumen liquid of the sheep before and after the feeding experiments. Results revealed no significant relationships among the visible mold area and the outer, inner, and total DON concentration in the silage. In the feeding experiment, the relative forage intake of sheep for each silage type significantly differed between experimental days. The visiting frequency of sheep for the silage varied between experimental days, but relative frequency for each silage type did not significantly differ between experimental days. The in vitro rumen degradability of the silage remained unchanged after the feeding experiment. The intake amount of the visually nonmoldy part and the nonmoldy silages increased at the latter half of the feeding experiment compared with that of the moldy silage, indicating that sheep could determine the silage quality and gradually shift from contaminated silage to noncontaminated silage. Therefore, their intake amount would be reduced if visually moldy silage was fed even though its toxin concentration was low. Conversely, they would prefer silage without visible mold even though its toxin concentration was possibly high because visible mold in the silage did not reflect its toxin concentration.

Suitability of anaerobic fungi culture supernatant or mixed ruminal fluid as novel silage additives

This study investigated silage quality characteristics and ruminal fiber degradability of grass and straw ensiled with either anaerobic fungi (AF) supernatant with active fungal enzymes or mixed ruminal fluid as novel silage additives. Compared to control silages, AF supernatant improved the quality of grass and straw silages as evidenced by decreased pH, acetic acid concentration, and dry matter losses. Likewise, mixed ruminal fluid enhanced lactic acid fermentation, which further resulted in lower pH of the treated grass silage. The ruminal fiber degradability was determined using in situ incubations and, compared to controls, the cellulose degradability was higher for grass silage with AF supernatant, whereas ruminal degradability of straw silage was reduced by this treatment. In contrast, mixed ruminal fluid did not influence fiber degradability of silages in the rumen. Concluding, both novel additives improved silage quality, whereas only AF supernatant enhanced ruminal fiber degradability of grass silage and therefore may represent an approach for improving forage utilization by ruminants.Key points• Enzymes of anaerobic fungi supernatant improve quality of grass and straw silages.• Mixed ruminal fluid enhances lactic acid fermentation when ensiling grass and straw.• Enzymes of anaerobic fungi supernatant increase ruminal grass silage degradability.

Silage Quality of two energy-cane cultivars produced with different additives

ABSTRACT This study examined the quality of silage from two cultivars of energy cane (Saccharum spontaneum) produced with different additives. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with a 2×5 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of two cultivars (VG3, VG1126) and four additives (1% urea; 1% NaOH; 1% CaO; and 1.0 × 1011 CFU g-1 of Lactobacillus plantarum- LP) + control, with eight replicates. Experimental mini-silos were used, which were opened 72 days after ensiling. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), mineral matter (MM), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents, and silage degradability were. We identified significant interactions effect between cultivar and type of additive for DM, CP, EE, NDF. ADF. Organic and mineral matter percentage were similar between the two cultivars. LP was the least beneficial additive for DM degradation.After 72 h of fermentation, in vitro NDF degradation of cultivar VG3 increased due to urea, NaOH, and CaO, whereas degradation cultivar VG1126 decreased when inoculated with LP or CaO. The NaOH and CaO improved silage degradability thus improving its quality. The use of LP in the present study did not benefit silage for energy-cane cultivars. The use of NaOH and CaO improves the quality of the silage, two varieties of sugarcane energy VG3 and VG1126, enabling its use with better efficiency for animal feed.

Lemongrass essential oil reduces Mombasa grass silage gas losses, fibre content and pH after aerobic exposure

Context Ensiling is commonly used to conserve tropical grasses, but low water-soluble carbohydrates content and high moisture content in the grass impair silage fermentation characteristics. Essential oils may be used as silage additives to decrease fermentative losses and improve the nutritional value of silage, and aerobic stability, and in vitro DM disappearance. Aims The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of including lemongrass essential oil (LEO) on the fermentative characteristics, fermentative losses, chemical composition, in vitro disappearance and aerobic stability of Mombasa grass (Megathyrsus maximum) silage. Methods Mombasa grass was ensiled for 60 days in 32 experimental silos (15-L plastic buckets, 28 cm diameter and 25 cm high), in a randomly blocked design. LEO was included at 0.00, 0.67, 1.33 and 2.00 mL per kg of silage fresh matter. Silos were weighed every 15 days, pH and temperature were measured immediately after the silos were opened, and subsamples of silage were taken to measure the fermentative profile, composition of silage effluent, chemical composition and in vitro degradation of silage. Key results Increasing the amount of LEO in Mombasa grass silage caused a linear reduction in ammonia–nitrogen, ethanol (P < 0.05), acid detergent fibre of silage, gas losses and silage pH after aerobic exposure. There was no impact (P > 0.05) on organic acid concentration, effluent production or DM recovery (P > 0.05). Conclusions (Tilley and Terry 1963) Adding LEO to Mombasa grass silage at up to 2.00 mL per kg fresh material (almost 7.5 mL/kg DM) reduces gas losses, ammonia–nitrogen and acid-detergent fibre concentration, and silage pH after aerobic exposure. However, it is not sufficient to improve DM recovery and in vitro disappearance of silage. Implications Lemongrass essential oil shows a positive effect on Mombasa grass silage fermentation, fibre content and silage parameters after aerobic exposure, providing a useful additive in this silage.

In sacco nutrient degradability of silage containing intact and defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

This study aimed to evaluate the in sacco nutrient degradability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing intact and defatted black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. The study evaluated four dietary treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of control TMR silage without BSF larvae (R1), 20% intact BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R2), 20% chemically defatted BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R3), and 20% mechanically defatted BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R4). Samples were placed in polyester bags and incubated in the rumen in sacco up to 72 h. Nutrient degradability was evaluated for each time point interval. Results revealed that the lowest dry matter degradability (DMD) was found in R1 compared to all treatments (p < 0.05), while the highest DMD was found in R2 (p < 0.05). The highest organic matter degradability was found in R2 compared to R1, R3 and R4 (p < 0.05). Addition of BSF larvae to TMR silage increased the crude protein degradability (p < 0.05). In conclusion, inclusion of both intact and defatted BSF larvae into TMR silage did not have any adverse effects on nutrient profiles and showed a good nutrient degradation values in the rumen.

Partial replacement of corn silage with whole-plant soybean and black oat silages for dairy cows

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of partially replacing corn silage (CS) with whole-plant soybean silage (SS) or black oat silage (OS) on nutrient intake and digestibility, in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability of silages, feeding behavior, rumen fermentation, and performance of dairy cows. Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows (6 of which were rumen-cannulated) with 32.5 ± 4.92 kg/d milk yield, 150 ± 84.8 days in milk, and 644 ± 79.0 kg of body weight were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design to evaluate the following treatments: (1) corn silage diet (CSD): using corn silage as the only forage source in the diet [48% dietary dry matter (DM)]; (2) whole-plant soybean silage diet (SSD): SS replacing 16% of corn silage from CSD; and (3) black oat silage diet (OSD): OS replacing 16% of corn silage from CSD. The inclusion of OS and SS decreased intakes of DM, organic matter, and crude protein. Corn silage had the greatest in vivo effective degradability of DM, and SS had the least effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber. The OSD treatment decreased milk and protein yields, whereas SSD increased rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration compared with the other diets. Cows fed OSD exhibited a greater preference for feed with small particles (<4 mm) compared with those fed SSD. Cows fed treatments containing either SS or OS at the expense of CS had increased rumination and chewing activities. Although replacing CS with OS and SS reduced feed intake, SS had no effect on productive performance of dairy cows.

Effects of wheat‐legume cultures on the fermentation quality and protein degradation of silage

AbstractAmong the cereal crops, whole‐crop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has become a common silage material in many countries of the world. However, there was little information about its planting methods. In order to obtain a optimum planting and utilization methods, this research investigated the effects of wheat‐legume cultures on the fermentation quality and protein degradation of silage. In the present research, wheat, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.) and smooth vetch (Vicia villosa L.) were planted by monoculture and mixture of wheat with other one, and they were ensiled. There were no significant differences in pH value, lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid contents among all silages with wheat, either monoculture or mixture with legume (p &gt; .05). The wheat‐legume silages had higher lactic acid and lower butyric acid contents than their corresponding legume silages (p &lt; .05). The non‐protein nitrogen and peptide‐N contents of wheat silage were significantly lower than those of wheat‐legume silages (p &lt; .05). Aminopeptidase and acid proteinase activities of monoculture legume and wheat‐legume silages were significantly higher than those of wheat silage (p &lt; .05). Overall, the chemical composition of forage has a greater influence on the fermentation quality and protease activity of silage compared to epiphytic microbes. The wheat‐legume cultures could effectively improve the fermentation quality of silage compared to monoculture legumes and wheat.

Microbial additives affect silage quality and ruminal dry matter degradability of avocado (&lt;em&gt;Persia Americana&lt;/em&gt;) pulp silage

This study evaluated effects of microbial inoculation on fermentation, aerobic stability and ruminal dry matter (DM) degradation of silage produced from Avocado (Persia Americana) pulp (AP). The AP, 800 g/kg fresh matter (FM) was mixed with 150 g grape pumice (GP)/kg FM and 50 g sugarcane molasses/kg FM. The mixture was treated with 1) no inoculant (control), 2) Emsilage inoculant (EMS), and 3) Sil-All 4x4 W.S. inoculant (SIL). Materials were ensiled in 1.5 L anaerobic jars for 90 days. Triplicate samples were collected on days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 90 for determination of fermentation, nutritive value and aerobic stability. In situ DM degradability was determined using 3 rumen cannulated Holstein cows. Microbial inoculation to AP silage increased lactic acid bacteria population, which subsequently increased residual fermentation substrate and lactic acid content. Terminal pH and volatile fatty acids of the silage were not affected by inoculation. Inoculated silage had less fibre and reduced aerobic stability compared to the control. The AP and its mixture had higher DM soluble fractions compared to the GP which had a higher degradation rate. Potential degradable fraction and extent of degradation were similar for each treatment. The EMS treatment had higher soluble fractions and lower degradation rate than other treatments. Inoculation with SIL improved degradation of the silage compared to other treatments. Thus, microbial inoculation qualifies the AP silage as a potential feed for ruminants.&#x0D; Keywords: feed, grape pomace, inoculant, oil cake, organic acid

Lemongrass essential oil in sugarcane silage: Fermentative profile, losses, chemical composition, and aerobic stability

Essential oils have been used to manipulate microbial growth in different processes such as silage fermentation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of lemongrass oil (LO) in sugarcane ensiling on fermentative profile and losses, chemical composition, in vitro degradation, and aerobic stability. Thirty-two experimental silos were used in a blocked randomized design to evaluate the following treatments: control (CON), sugarcane ensiling without LO; and increasing levels of LO on sugarcane ensiling: 1 (L1), 2 (L2), and 3 (L3) mL of LO per kg of sugarcane (as-fed basis). Results of LO level effects were regressed to access the maximum/minimum points. Lemongrass oil linearly increased NH3-N and decreased the count of mold and yeast, lactic, and butyric acid concentrations. Besides, LO quadratically affected silage pH, Brix, and levels of ethanol and acetic acid. The lowest silage pH, ethanol, and acetic acid concentration were found with 1.17, 2.22, and 1.89 mL/kg of LO. Lemongrass oil quadratically affected fermentative losses, dry matter (DM) recovery, and chemical composition of silage. The lowest total losses were found at 1.53 mL/kg of LO, whereas the highest DM recovery was obtained using 1.90 mL/kg LO. Intermediary levels of LO (1.99–2.00 mL/kg) improved silage DM, organic matter, non-fiber carbohydrate, and ether extract content, whereas reduced silage concentration of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, and crude protein. Lemongrass oil did not affect neutral detergent fiber in vitro degradation and quadratically affected DM degradation of silage, whereas linearly increased silage aerobic stability (h) and temperature of silage between 48 and 104 h after aerobic exposure. Thus, intermediary levels (between 1.53 and 2.22 mL/kg) of LO reduces ethanol concentration and fermentative losses of silages, improving DM recovery, chemical composition and DM degradation of sugarcane silage. Additionally, LO levels linearly decrease yeast and mold count and increase the aerobic stability of sugarcane silage.

Whole corn grain addition in sugarcane silage avoids fermentative losses and improves in situ degradation of silage

Sugarcane silage (SS) is generally susceptible to yeast action, resulting in dry matter losses due to high soluble carbohydrate concentration. We evaluated the effects of adding corn grain and microbial inoculant at ensiling on fermentative profile, losses, chemical composition and degradation of silages. Forty experimental silos (PVC tubing) were assigned at random to a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement with: (1) 5 corn additions at ensiling: CONT - straight sugarcane silage; GC2 - sugarcane with ground corn (processed through a 2 mm sieve) added at ensiling; GC8 - sugarcane with ground corn (processed through an 8 mm sieve) added at ensiling; WC - sugarcane with whole corn grain added at ensiling; and RCS - rehydrated corn ensiled without sugarcane; and (2) 2 microbial inoculant additions at ensiling: 0 and 8 mg of commercial inoculant per kg of feed. Corn grain was added at the rate of 100 g per kg of fresh sugarcane. Adding corn grain to sugarcane at ensiling improved SS fermentation and silage chemical composition. There was no benefit from grinding the grain before adding it to sugarcane. Microbial inoculant had little effect on SS fermentation. Studies comparing corn grain with other energy sources, e.g. molasses or cassava, for addition at ensiling sugarcane seem warranted along with feeding studies with livestock to assess intake and subsequent performance. The overall benefits of adding the energy sources at ensiling versus feeding them directly to animals with untreated sugarcane silage should be determined.

Chemical composition and in situ degradability of silages from dual-purpose sorghum hybrids

The objective was to determine chemical composition and in situ degradability for silages of dual-purpose sorghum hybrids. Twenty-five hybrids of double-purpose sorghum were investigated in a randomized block design with three replicates. Ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), pH, chemical composition of the silage and in situ degradability were determined. Silage of the hybrids 9929012, 947216, 947030, 947254, 947072, 947252, 12F042066, 1141570 and 1141562 presented greater dry matter content, ranging from 402.9 to 470.7 g kg-1. The greatest crude protein content was presented by silages from the hybrids 9929036, 9929030, 12F042224, FEPAGRO19, FEPAGRO11, 9929026, 947030, 947072, 947252, 12F042226 and BRS Ponta Negra. The silage of hybrid 1141562 exhibited the lowest neutral detergent fiber content (588 g kg-1). The highest values of dry matter and crude protein degradability were observed in the silages of the hybrids 9929030, 947252, 947072, 12F042066 and 12F042226. The use of ensilage of the 9929030 and 12F042226 hybrids is recommended because these silages present a better chemical composition of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber and better dry matter and crude protein degradability.

Silages in the form of diet based on spineless cactus and buffelgrass

This study was conducted to evaluate the fermentation pattern and the in situ dry matter degradability of silages in the form of diet. Five diets were formulated based on spineless cactus (Opuntia fícus-indica cv. ‘Gigante’) and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). The experimental design was completely randomised, with five treatments and three replicates in which the diets differed in the proportion of buffelgrass (0%, 15%, 25%, 30% and 35%, on a fresh matter basis). There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in the chemical composition of the diets, with all dry matter contents being within the ideal range. Ammonia-nitrogen content was not affected (p > 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in dry matter recovery across diets, which ranged from 96.28% to 99.93%. The pH values decreased as the time of opening (days) was extended. Organic acid contents differed across all diets; however, overall, all diets showed satisfactory lactic acid contents. As the proportion of buffelgrass in the diets was increased, the degradability of dry matter decreased. Based on fermentation profile, losses and chemical composition the diet with higher proportion of spineless cactus can be recommended for silage production.

Aerobic deterioration of corn stalk silage and its effect on methane production and microbial community dynamics in anaerobic digestion

Ensilage is a commonly used method of preserving energy crops for biogas production. However, aerobic deterioration of silage is an inevitable problem. This study investigated the effect of aerobic deterioration on methane production and microbial community dynamics through anaerobic digestion (AD) of maize stalk silage, following 9days air exposure of silage. After air exposure, hydrolytic activity and methanogenic archaea amount in AD were reduced, decreasing the specific methane yield (SMY); whereas lignocellulose decomposition during exposure improved the degradability of silage in AD and enhanced SMY, partially compensating the dry matter (DM) loss. 29.3% of the DM and 40.7% of methane yield were lost following 0–9days exposure. Metagenomic analysis showed a shift from Clostridia to Bacteroidia and Anaerolineae in AD after silage deterioration; Methanosaetaceae was the dominant methanogenic archaea.

Fiber composition and degradability of cold season green forage and pre-dried silage harvested at pre-flowering

This study aimed to evaluate the contents of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, as well as the rates of dry matter degradability in forage and pre-dried silage of different winter cereals harvested at pre-flowering. The experiment was conducted by the Animal Production Center (NUPRAN), Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, State University of Midwest (UNICENTRO). It is located in Guarapuava – PR, Brazil. The study was part of the Master's Degree in Crop Production. As experimental materials, we used black oat (Avena strigosa) cv. EMB 139 and cv. IAPAR 61; white oat (Avena sativa) cv. IPR and 126 hp. URS Taura; barley (Hordeum vulgare) cv. BRS Brau and cv. BRS Cauê; wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. BRS Umbu and cv. BRS Tarumã; rye (Secale cereale) cv. Temprano and cv. BRS Serrano; and triticale (X Triticosecale) cv. IPR and 111 hp. BRS Saturn. Dry matter degradability was measured by an in situ technique, arranged in a completely randomized block design with three replications (animal), subdivided in subplots. Treatments were the plots and subplots digestion times. The incubation times were 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. To that end, we used two 24-month rumen fistulated steers with 350 kg average weight. A similarity was observed in the results of both forage and pre-dried silage degradability, displaying the same trends. Barley cv. BRS Brau had the highest hemicellulose content in its composition; however, IPR 111 triticale was showed the highest degradability potential, both for green forage and pre-dried silage.

Forage Mass, Nutritive Value, and In situ Degradation of Sorghum Silage Treated with Fibrolytic Enzymes

Core Ideas Xylanase and cellulase treatment of sorghum silage did not affect sorghum silage nutritive value. The brown midrib trait and harvest timing have more influence on silage quality than fibrolytic enzymes. Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] and sorghum‐sudangrass (S. bicolor × S. bicolor drummondii) silage utilization in cattle diets has increased in recent years. The objectives of this study were to compare the forage mass and nutritive value of photoperiod‐sensitive (PS) sorghum and hybrid sister lines with or without the BMR trait, and determine if fibrolytic enzymes would improve the rate and extent of in situ disappearance of PS forage sorghum (FS) and PS sorghum‐sudagrass (SS) silage varieties with or without the brown midrib (BMR) trait (i.e., FS‐PS, FS‐PS/BMR, SS‐PS, and SS‐PS/BMR). This experiment was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement whereby the crop was grown, chopped, and ensiled and inoculated with or without (control) the enzyme mixture. Yield was at least 1.6 ton/acre and nutritive value similar to that of similar cultivars. Mini‐silo buckets were sealed for 150 days, and dried silage material weighed into duplicate Dacron bags for in situ incubation for 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, or 72 h in three ruminally cannulated Angus steers (679 ± 52.9 lb body weight [BW]) to determine rate and extent of dry‐matter (DM) disappearance. The addition of fibrolytic enzymes had little effect on the nutritive value of ensiled forage. Non‐BMR silage had a greater potentially degradable fraction; however, BMR varieties had a greater wash loss and extent of digestion. Based on our results, selecting a sorghum variety with the BMR trait may be more important than using a fibrolytic enzyme to improve silage degradation characteristics.

Silage fermentation and ruminal degradation of stylo prepared with lactic acid bacteria and cellulase.

In order to improve the silage fermentation of stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) in tropical areas, stylo silages were prepared with commercial additives Lactobacillus plantarum Chikuso-1 (CH1), L. rhamnasus Snow Lact L (SN), Acremonium cellulase (CE) and their combination as SN+CE or CH1+CE, and the fermentation quality, chemical composition and ruminal degradation of these silages were studied. Stylo silages treated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or cellulase, the pH value and NH3 -N ⁄ total-N were significantly (P<0.05) decreased while the ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) and acid detergent fiber (ADFom) were significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to control. Compared to LAB or cellulase-treated silages, the DM, CP contents and relative feed value (RFV), and the ruminal degradability in LAB plus cellulase-treated silages were significantly (P<0.05) higher, but the aNDFom content was significantly (P<0.05) lower. CH1+CE treatment was more effective in silage fermentation and ruminal degradation than SN+CE treatment. The results confirmed that LAB or LAB plus cellulase treatment could improve the fermentation quality, chemical composition and ruminal degradation of stylo silage. Moreover, the combined treatment with LAB and cellulase may have beneficial synergistic effects on ruminal degradation.

The effect of the source of microorganisms on adaptation of hydrolytic consortia dedicated to anaerobic digestion of maize silage

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the source of microorganisms on the selection of hydrolytic consortia dedicated to anaerobic digestion of maize silage. The selection process was investigated based on the analysis of changes in the hydrolytic activity and the diversity of microbial communities derived from (i) a hydrolyzer of a commercial agricultural biogas plant, (ii) cattle slurry and (iii) raw sewage sludge, during a series of 10 passages. Following the selection process, the adapted consortia were thoroughly analyzed for their ability to utilize maize silage and augmentation of anaerobic digestion communities.The results of selection of the consortia showed that every subsequent passage of each consortium leads to their adaptation to degradation of maize silage, which was manifested by the increased hydrolytic activity of the adapted consortia. Biodiversity analysis (based on the 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing) confirmed the changes microbial community of each consortium, and showed that after the last (10th) passage all microbial communities were dominated by the representatives of Lactobacillaceae, Prevotellaceae, Veillonellaceae.The results of the functional analyses showed that the adapted consortia improved the efficiency of maize silage degradation, as indicated by the increase in the concentration of glucose and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), as well as the soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD). Moreover, bioaugmentation of anaerobic digestion communities by the adapted hydrolytic consortia increased biogas yield by 10–29%, depending on the origin of the community. The obtained results also indicate that substrate input (not community origin) was the driving force responsible for the changes in the community structure of hydrolytic consortia dedicated to anaerobic digestion.

Effects of corn treated with foliar fungicide on in situ corn silage degradability in Holstein cows

With increasing feed prices and decreasing profit margins livestock producers are constantly searching for ways to increase nutritive value of the feed in order to get more production per unit of feedstuff. The objective of this study was to assess the digestibility of corn silage made of corn plants treated with various foliar fungicide applications. Treatments were: control (CON), corn received no foliar fungicide application; 1X, corn received one application of pyraclostrobin foliar fungicide (PYR; Headline; BASF Corp.) at vegetative stage 5 (V5); 2X, corn received 2 applications of foliar fungicides, PYR at stage V5, and a mixture of pyraclostrobin and metconazole (PYR+MET; Headline AMP; BASF Corp.) at reproductive stage 1 (R1); and 3X, corn received 3 applications of foliar fungicides, PYR at stage V5, PYR+MET at stage R1, and PYR+MET at reproductive stage 3. Corn was harvested at the same time and ensiled for 7 months. Dried unground corn silage was put into 288 (3 per time points/treatment/cow) 10×20cm bags and incubated for 8 different time points (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 48, 72, and 96h). A sample of unground dried corn silage was also placed into 20×40cm bag and incubated for 48h. Digestibility of corn silages was estimated using in situ procedure with 3 rumen-cannulated lactating multiparous Holstein cows. The degradable fraction of dry matter (DM) tended to be greater (P=0.08) for corn silages treated with fungicide when compared with CON. There was no treatment effect (P>0.05) on neutral detergent fiber (aNDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), starch, and crude protein (CP). However, the soluble fraction of DM, aNDF, and ADF decreased (P<0.05) as fungicide applications increased. Effective degradability (ED) was greater (P<0.05) in CON than corn silages treated with fungicide mainly due to decreased ED in 3X compared with 1X and 2X. In situ digestibility for bigger and smaller bags was different. Degradability of DM, aNDF, and ADF was higher (P<0.05), while starch and CP degradability was lower (P<0.01) in the larger bags. Fungicide application to corn for silage lead to higher DM degradable fraction which seems to be the result of increased sugar and starch along with decreased aNDF and ADF.

Effects of lines and inoculants on nutritive value and production costs of triticale silages

The current study was undertaken to investigate the ensilage characteristics in triticale lines treated by inoculants and their interaction on fermentation metabolites and rumen degradability. Costs were estimated for growing and feeding whole-crop triticale lines for animal production. Triticale hybrids were harvested at the dough stage of maturity (38% dry matter, DM). Plants were chopped approximately 2 cm after harvest and then treated with inoculants and were ensiled in 1.5-L mini laboratory silos. Two lactic acid bacterial inoculants with enzymes (LAB+enzymes I: Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Streptococcus faecium with cellulase, hemicellulase, pentosanase, and amylase; LAB+enzyme II: P. acidilactici, L. plantarum, and amylase) were used as silage additives. Inoculants were applied at 1.5 × 105 cfu/g chopped fresh material. Silages with no additive served as the control. Four jars per treatment were sampled on day 60 after ensiling for chemical and microbiological analysis. At the end of the ensiling period (60 day), the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test. The nutrient degradability of silages was determined in situ. Overall, there were no obvious interactions between triticale lines and the treatments for any of the parameters measured. The fermentation and nutritive value of silages were affected by treatments. LAB+enzymes increased the concentrations of lactic acid of the triticale silages and decreased the concentrations of butyric acid, total alcohols, and ammonia-N. Under aerobic conditions, LAB+enzyme treated silages had lower pH, CO2 production, and number of yeasts. Fibrous fractions were decreased with the application of LAB+enzymes. The 48 h in situ organic matter, DM, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the silages were enhanced by treatments. Addition LAB+enzymes to dough stage triticale silage reduces proteolysis; the inoculant possess antimicrobial properties and improves fermentation and nutritional value. The economic results are favorable financially for growing winter triticale as an animal feed in Mediterranean-type climates.