Dry Matter Loss Research Articles

Effect of lignosulfonates on the dry matter loss, nutritional value, and microbial counts of high moisture alfalfa silage

In this experiment, we evaluated the effects of sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and magnesium lignosulfonate (MgL) applied independently at 0, 5, 10, and 15 (g/kg, fresh weight basis) and an inoculant (INO) on high-moisture (DM: 219 g/kg, fresh weight basis) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage nutrient preservation. The INO consisted of Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus plantarum applied at a rate of 4.95 and 4.00 log cfu/g (fresh weight basis), respectively. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD; 5 blocks) and linear and quadratic polynomial contrasts were used to determine dose rate effects for NaL and MgL and orthogonal contrasts for INO effects. At d 0, increasing NaL dose from 0 to 15 g/kg increased linearly DM (219–227 g/kg) and decreased linearly mold counts (4.48–3.62 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis). No treatment effects were observed on lactic acid bacteria counts (7.04 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis), water soluble carbohydrates (61.5), and aNDF (432 g/kg of DM). After 229 d of ensiling, both MgL and INO increased DM loss (x¯= 13.7 and 13.7 vs 11.3% of DM) due to a lower production of lactic acid (x¯= 75.5 and 78.3 vs 92.3 g/kg of DM, respectively) which resulted in a higher pH relative to untreated silage (x¯= 4.41 and 4.46 vs 4.33; respectively). Increasing doses from 0 (6.42) to 15 g/kg for both NaL (6.90) and MgL (7.06 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis) resulted in linear and quadratic increases of lactic acid bacteria counts, respectively. These counts were also higher in INO treated silages (6.98 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis), relative to untreated silage. Furthermore, both NaL and MgL decreased in vitro ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration (x = 87.0 and 93.1 vs 97.1 mM; respectively), compared with the untreated silage. The greater acidification in untreated silage prevented additives tested from reducing the generation of NH3-N (x¯= 110 g/kg of N) during ensiling. Overall, none of the additives tested improved the preservation of high-moisture alfalfa silage nutrients beyond what was observed in untreated.

Optimized Ensiling Conditions and Microbial Community in Mulberry Leaves Silage With Inoculants.

Mulberry leaves (ML) are a promising alternative fodder source due to their high protein content and the abundance of active components. A test of three inoculants in various combinations revealed that high-quality ML silage was produced at an inoculum ratio of 1:1:0 (50% Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 50% Lactobacillus plantarum, and 0% Bacillus subtilis). Using dry matter (DM) loss, pH, ammonia-N and amino acid contents, total antioxidant activity, and total flavonoids content to evaluate silage quality, this inoculant mixture was shown to produce high-quality silage within a range of inoculum size (5–15%), moisture contents (50–67%), ensiling temperatures (27–30°C), and ensiling duration (14–30 days). A third trial comparing silages produced after 30 days at 28°C and 50% moisture content revealed that silage E, prepared using an L. plantarum inoculant alone, displayed the lowest DM loss and pH, and low bacterial diversity, and it was dominated by Lactobacillus (88.6%), with low abundance of Enterobacter (6.17%). In contrast, silage B5, prepared with equal ratios of L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae, was dominated by Enterococcus (67.16%) and Lactobacillus (26.94%), with less marked yeast persistence, and reducing the DM content from 50 to 40% altered these relative abundances to 5.47 and 60.61, respectively. Control silages produced without an inoculant had the highest pH and ammonia-N content (indicative of poor quality), had the lowest antioxidant activity, had higher bacterial diversity, and were dominated by Carnobacterium (74.28%) and Enterococcus (17.3%). In summary, ensiling of ML conditions with proper inoculants yielded high-quality silage with a favorable microbial community composition.

A Machine Learning-Based Assessment of Maize Silage Dry Matter Losses by Net-Bags Buried in Farm Bunker Silos

Estimating the dry matter losses (DML) of whole-plant maize (WPM) silage is a priority for sustainable dairy and beef farming. The study aimed to assess this loss of nutrients by using net-bags (n = 36) filled with freshly chopped WPM forage and buried in bunker silos of 12 Italian dairy farms for an ensiling period of 275 days on average. The proximate composition of harvested WPM was submitted to mixed and polynomial regression models and a machine learning classification tree to estimate its ability to predict the WPM silage losses. Dry matter (DM), silage density, and porosity were also assessed. The WPM harvested at over 345 (g kg−1) and a DM density of less than 180 (kg of DM m−3) was related to DML values of over 7%. According to the results of the classification tree algorithm, the WPM harvested (g kg−1 DM) at aNDF higher than 373 and water-soluble carbohydrates lower than 104 preserves for the DML of maize silage. It is likely that the combination of these chemical variables determines the optimal maturity stage of WPM at harvest, allowing a biomass density and a fermentative pattern that limits the DML, especially during the ensiling period.

Mathematical Description of Changes of Dried Apple Characteristics during Their Rehydration

The mathematical description of changes of dried apples characteristics (mass gain, volume increase, dry matter loss, rehydration indices, and colour) during their rehydration was performed. The effect of conditions of both processes on model parameters were also considered. Apple slices (3 and 10 mm) and cubes (10 mm) were dried in natural convection (drying air velocity 0.01 m/s), forced convection (0.5 and 2 m/s), and fluidisation (6 m/s). Drying air temperatures (Td) were equal to 50, 60, and 70 °C. The rehydration process was carried out in distilled water at the temperatures (Tr) of 20, 45, 70, and 95 °C. Mass gain, volume increase, and dry matter loss were modelled using the following empirical models: Peleg, Pilosof–Boquet–Batholomai, Singh and Kulshrestha, Lewis (Newton), Henderson–Pabis, Page, and modified Page. Colour changes were described through applying the first-order model. Artificial neural networks (feedforward multilayer perceptron) were applied to make the rehydration indices and colour variations (ΔE) dependent on characteristic dimension, Td, drying air velocity, and Tr. The Page and the modified Page models can be considered to be the most appropriate in order to characterise the mass gain (RMSE = 0.0143–0.0619) and the volume increase (RMSE = 0.0142–0.1130), whereas the Peleg, Pilosof–Bouquet–Batholomai, and Singh and Kulshrestha models were found to be the most appropriate to characterise dry matter loss (RMSE = 0.0116–0.0454). The ANNs described rehydration indices and ΔE satisfactorily (RMSE = 0.0567–0.0802). Both considered process conditions influenced (although in different degree) the changes of the considered dried apple characteristics during their rehydration.

Silage Fermentation Quality, Anthocyanin Stability, and in vitro Rumen Fermentation Characteristic of Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate-Treated Black Cane (Saccharum sinensis R.).

Pretreatment of lignocellulose agricultural biomass with iron prior to ensiling is required to accelerate biomass breakdown during fermentation, which could result in functional microorganisms and chemicals that reduce nutrition loss, harmful substances, and improve animal performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of increasing dilutions of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FS) pretreatment at fresh matter concentrations of 0, 0.015, and 0.030% on the fermentation quality of black cane (BC) silage, anthocyanin stability, ruminal biogas, rumen fermentation profile, and microbial community. Pre-ensiled and silage materials were evaluated. High moisture, fiber, anthocyanin, and lignification of biomass, as well as undesirable ensiling microorganisms, were found in BC' pre-ensiled form. Increasing dilutions of FS incorporated into silages were observed to linearly decrease dry matter, anthocyanin, and nutritive value losses. The lignin values decreased linearly as the percentage of FS increased up to 0.030%. Given that the ruminants were fed pre-ensiled materials, BC silage treated with 0.030% FS dilution had comparable results to pre-ensiled BC in terms of increasing in vitro volatile fatty acid concentrations, maintaining total gas production, and reducing methane production, when compared to other FS-treated silages. In addition, BC silage treated with a 0.030% FS dilution inhibited methanogenic bacteria and regulated cellulolytic bacteria in rumen fluid. Overall, the anthocyanin content of BC remained constant throughout the rumen fermentation process after increasing dilutions of FS, indicating that BC is a viable ruminant feedstock and that pretreatment of BC with dilute FS-assisted ensiling at 0.030% could be used to generate ruminant diets.

ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO EXPAND PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF WOOD CHIPS IN UKRAINE

The prospectі of wider implementation of more powerful wood biomass projects in Ukraine will lead to an increased demand of wood chips, and its increased production is expected from logging residues, which now are almost unused, as well as the continuation and possible expansion of its production from logwood. When organizing the production and supply chains of wood chips, the advanced methods of timber harvesting and the possibility of their adaptation in Ukraine should be considered, as well as to increase economic efficiency of supply, taking into account the need to save wood chips fuel properties during storage, which requires proven methods of reducing of moisture content and preventing the dry matter loss. International experience shows that production, storage and supply methods of wood chips directly affect its quality and fuel characteristics, and its efficient use as fuel must be ensured by appropriate technical solutions of boiler equipment.

A full-system study of neuroendocrine regulation of fish reproduction

The participation of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) in the initiation of energy-consuming migration and spawning behaviors and the completion of spawning by suppressing the hyperactivity of the target glands, which ensures the body transition to energy-saving plastic metabolism was established by ecological-histophysiological full-system studies. The analysis of the HHNS key role in these processes made it possible to develop a constructive working scheme for the neuroendocrine integration of fish reproduction on the principle of self-regulation. In order to increase the fish factory reproduction biotech efficiency new methods for controlling of its biotechnology have been developed on this basis. The technology of preparation and the results of industrial tests of the effectiveness pituitary preparations developed to enhance fish maturation: isolated anterior and posterior pituitary lobes (APL and PPL) of the pituitary gland are presented in this part of the research. The increase degree of the of fish farming producers use average of 15% was proved by production (industrial) tests of the effectiveness of the use of the drug APL at sturgeon fish breeding plants of the lower rivers Volga and Don. To increase the effectiveness of the drug APL usage, its dependence on the degree of preparedness of females for puberty and ovulation was established by the most objective assessment of their individual fish-breeding qualities by the degree of the oocyte nucleus polarization. The most important indicators of the producers physiological state and offspring are stored after the use of APL not only within the production norm, but also qualitatively exceed the “control” — the whole pituitary gland. In order to avoid significant production loss of pituitary dry matter (especially when removing PPL) and the high consumption (35–40%) of the pituitary glands to stimulate the maturation of fish males a “Method for stimulating puberty of male fish” by the isolated posterior pituitary lobe was developed, providing waste-free technology for the preparation and usage of both drugs. Possible prospects for improving methods of stimulating sexual maturity of fish breeders are discussed.

Genotype-by-Diet Interactions for Larval Performance and Body Composition Traits in the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens.

Simple SummaryThe bioconversion of organic waste into valuable insect protein as an alternative animal feed ingredient has the potential to improve agricultural sustainability and may become a key element of future circular economy. However, while insects farmed for feed production are considered livestock from a regulatory perspective, systematic linking of genetic resource characterisations and fundamental phenotyping, crucial for precision breeding and feeding schemes, remains scarce even for prime insect candidates, such as the black soldier fly (BSF). The present study initiated to fill this knowledge gap by experimentally assessing BSF genotype-by-diet interactions for a number of economically and ecologically relevant larval phenotypic traits. Besides pervasive diet effects, strong impact of BSF genetic background and ubiquitous environment-mediated interactions were found. This implies some of the so-far unexplained response variation across global BSF studies could be driven by previously neglected mechanisms of genetic specificity, and thus that the concept of broad conspecific plasticity in this insect is likely too simplistic. Instead, it is emphasised that matching BSF genetics to dietary contexts is vital for purposive production optimisation, particularly when extrapolated to large-scale operations. These insights highlight that establishing tailored BSF breeding as an independent branch offers veritable opportunities to efficiently support this growing agricultural sector.Further advancing black soldier fly (BSF) farming for waste valorisation and more sustainable global protein supplies critically depends on targeted exploitation of genotype-phenotype associations in this insect, comparable to conventional livestock. This study used a fully crossed factorial design of rearing larvae of four genetically distinct BSF strains (FST: 0.11–0.35) on three nutritionally different diets (poultry feed, food waste, poultry manure) to investigate genotype-by-environment interactions. Phenotypic responses included larval growth dynamics over time, weight at harvest, mortality, biomass production with respective contents of ash, fat, and protein, including amino acid profiles, as well as bioconversion and nitrogen efficiency, reduction of dry matter and relevant fibre fractions, and dry matter loss (emissions). Virtually all larval performance and body composition traits were substantially influenced by diet but also characterised by ample BSF genetic variation and, most importantly, by pronounced interaction effects between the two. Across evaluated phenotypes, variable diet-dependent rankings and the lack of generally superior BSF strains indicate the involvement of trade-offs between traits, as their relationships may even change signs. Conflicting resource allocation in light of overall BSF fitness suggests anticipated breeding programs will require complex and differential selection strategies to account for pinpointed trait maximisation versus multi-purpose resilience.

Re-ensiling and microbial inoculant use effects on the quality of maize silages exposed to air

Re-ensiling has increased worldwide due to the increase in marketing of silage between farms. However, litlle is known about the aerobic deterioration and microbial inoculants effect in this process. The aim of this study was to determine the re-ensiling and microbial inoculant use effects on the maize silage quality. Experimental treatments included maize silage exposed to air for zero or 18 h, with or without microbial inoculant use containing a mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici. The forage was ensiled in 20 plastic buckets (20 liters capacity) with five repetitions per treatment. The silos were opened after 116 days and the chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), fermentative parameters, microorganism counts, total dry matter (DM) losses and aerobic stability of silage were evaluated. Re-ensiling reduced the non-fibrous carbohydrates content by 14.8%, whereas it increased the neutral detergent fiber content by 6%. The IVDMD was reduced by 6.1% in re-ensiled silages. In addition, re-ensiling increased the losses due to gases, effluents, and total DM. Lower lactic acid content and higher acetic acid content in re-ensiled maize silages were also observed. However, IVDMD increased by 4.6% in inoculated silages. Re-ensiling reduced the nutritive value and IVDMD of maize silages and should be avoided in production systems. The microbial inoculant use was not effective in improving the re-ensiled silage quality, which does not justify its use in these conditions. Farms should avoid purchasing maize silage due to reduction in nutritional value in the re-ensiling process. However, in some cases where farms need to purchase silage for feeding planning, the time between silo opening and re-ensiling should be as short as possible to reduce nutrient loss. Furthermore, in this situation the inoculant use does not improve silage conservation, which makes its use unnecessary.

An Optimization Approach to Assess the Impact of Drying and Dry Matter Losses of Eucalyptus globulus Roundwood and Biomass on Supply Chains Costs and GHG Emissions

In-forest drying of roundwood and biomass (residues) can result in more efficient transport operations from an economical and environmental perspective. On the negative side, in-forest drying may result in dry matter losses (DML), impacting the quantity and quality of residues delivered to energy plants. This paper investigated the impact of roundwood and residues in-forest drying and DML on supply chain costs and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. For the assessment, a short-term optimization planning tool was applied to a supply chain located in Asturias, Spain, consisting of fourteen supply points and two demand points: A pulp mill (demanding roundwood) and a power plant (demanding residues). Four scenarios were included in the analysis comprising different combinations of DML for roundwood and residues resulting from in-forest drying. Our results indicate that in scenarios that include in-forest drying and DML, the negative economic effects are offset by the substantial reductions in transport costs and GHG emissions. In-forest drying of roundwood and residues without DML can result in a 6.5% reduction in supply chain costs, 14.9% fewer truckloads to destination points, and 18.1% less fuel consumption and GHG emissions.

Evolution of Physicochemical Properties, Phenolic Acid Accumulation, and Dough-Making Quality of Whole Wheat Flour During Germination Under UV-B Radiation.

The effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on the physiological properties, phenolic acid accumulation, and dough-making quality of wheat during germination were investigated. UV-B radiation inhibited the wheat sprout length and reduced the dry matter loss. As phenolic acids were principally present in the kernels' bran, UV-B radiation could promote their accumulation in the interior of germinated wheat (GW). The total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity were also enhanced significantly during germination with UV-B. UV-B improved the development time, stability time, rheological properties, and viscosity of GW, and inhibited the α-amylase activity, the destruction of the amorphous region of starch particles, and the proteins degradation process during germination, and thus the deterioration of dough-making quality caused by germination was inhibited. Therefore, UV-B radiation could be a potential approach to enhance the nutritional and dough-making quality of germinated whole wheat flour.

Fermentation Quality and Bacterial Diversity of Broussonetia papyrifera Leaves Ensiled with Lactobacillus plantarum and Stored at Different Temperatures

Broussonetia papyrifera has increasingly been used as a high-quality feedstuff for ruminants due to its advantageous characteristics. The storage temperature can influence the fermentation quality of silage; however, the effect of temperature on B. papyrifera leaves (BPL) silage has not been reported. In the present study, the fermentation quality and bacterial community of BPL, stored at 15 °C and 30 °C, were investigated during ensiling (day 3, 7, 14, 30) with or without Lactobacillus plantarum strain (LP) added. The pH and the coliform bacteria counts were significantly lower in silage stored at 30 than 15 °C (p < 0.01), while the lactic acid content increased significantly (p < 0.05). Adding LP decreased the dry matter loss, pH, coliform bacteria count, and ammonia-N and butyric acid contents at 30 °C. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased, while the bacterial diversity decreased in the silage stored at 30 °C when LP was added. During silage, the high abundance of Lactobacillus decreased gas and carbon dioxide (CO2) production, and the lowest gas and CO2 production were detected in silage stored at 30 °C when LP was added. In conclusion, adding LP and storing it at 30 °C could effectively improve the quality of BPL silage.

Effect of Intrinsic Tannins on the Fermentation Quality and Associated with the Bacterial and Fungal Community of Sainfoin Silage.

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is rich in condensed tannins (CT). CT function includes inhibiting bacterial and fungi activity during the ensiling process. We used polyethylene glycol (PEG) to deactivate tannin activity to find out the effects of CT. The results show that the addition of PEG increased dry-matter loss (8.32% vs. 14.15%, on a dry-matter basis) after 60 d of ensiling, and also increased lactic acid (10.90% vs. 15.90%, on a dry-matter basis) and acetic-acid content (7.32% vs. 13.85%, on a dry-matter basis) after 30 d of ensiling. The PEG-treated group increased its Pediococcus relative abundance (0.37–3.38% vs. 7.82–23.5%,) during the ensiling process, increased its Gibellulopsis relative abundance after 3 d of ensiling (5.96% vs. 19.52%), increased its Vishniacozyma relative abundance after 3 d and 7 d of ensiling (2.36% vs. 17.02%, 3.65% vs. 17.17%), and increased its Aspergillus relative abundance after 7 d, 14 d and 60 d of ensiling (0.28% vs. 1.32%, 0.49% vs. 2.84% and 1.74% vs. 7.56%). However, the PEG-treated group decreased its Alternaria relative abundance during entire ensiling process (14.00–25.21% vs. 3.33–7.49%). These results suggest that condensed tannins inhibit lactic-acid bacteria fermentation though reducing Pediococcus activity, and inhibiting fungi activity depending on different strains.

Sieving and Covering of Wood Chips Improves Storability

Minimising dry matter losses during storage of comminuted forest fuels is desirable from both an economic and a sustainability perspective. This study examined fuel quality and amount of recovered energy during the storage of forest wood chips stored at full industrial scale at three locations, and the effect of sieving and covering piles with a water-resistant, vapour-permeable fabric. Sieving wood chips before storage, that is, reducing the number of fines smaller than 8 mm, reduced the cumulative dry matter losses to <2%, while cumulative dry matter losses after storage for 4–6 months using current practices, that is, unsieved and uncovered, reached 10.6%. The combined effect of storage management led to a value loss of 11.5%, while both covering and sieving led to lower losses, with the combination of sieving and covering giving a 1.3% value increase, and thus, increased storability.

Effects of LAB Inoculants on the Fermentation Quality, Chemical Composition, and Bacterial Community of Oat Silage on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been proposed for the control of undesirable fermentation and, subsequently, aerobic deterioration due to their ability to produce antimicrobial metabolites in silage mass. To investigate the effect of specific LAB on the silage fermentation characteristics and bacterial community composition of oat in cold regions, silages were treated without (control) or with three LAB strains (LB, Lentilactobacillus buchneri; nLP, low temperature tolerant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum; pLP, phenyllactic acid-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum), and then stored at ambient temperature (−2.63 ± 5.47–14.29 ± 5.48 °C) for 30, 60, and 90 days. Compared with control, inoculation of LAB decreased the final pH value, butyric acid content, ammonia-N of total N and dry matter loss of silage. Treatments with nLP and pLP increased (p < 0.05) lactic acid content, whereas LB increased (p < 0.05) acetic acid content of silage. Lactiplantibacillus and Leuconostoc dominated in the silages with relative abundance of 68.29–96.63%. A prolonged storage period enhanced the growth of Leuconostoc in pLP-treated silage. In addition, pLP increased (p < 0.05) the aerobic stability of silage as compared with nLP. In conclusion, inoculation of LAB improved silage fermentation and/or delayed aerobic deterioration by shifting bacterial community composition during ensiling. Phenyllactic acid-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as an inoculant exhibited potential for high quality silage production.

Effects of Inoculation with Lactic Acid Bacteria on the Preservation of Nannochloropsis gaditana Biomass in Wet Anaerobic Storage and Its Impact on Biomass Quality

Wet anaerobic storage of algal biomass is a promising preservation approach that can ensure a continuous supply of these feedstocks to biorefineries year-round. An effective solution to preservation must ensure minimal dry matter loss and a change in biochemical composition during storage. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the preservation of Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass through wet anaerobic storage and its impact on biomass quality. Prior to storage, the algae sample is inoculated with two different strains of lactic acid bacteria and thereafter stored for 30 and 180 days. Each inoculant limited the dry matter loss to &lt;10% (dry basis) after the storage duration. Final pH values (4.3–4.8) indicate that the biomass samples are properly ensiled, achieving the acidic conditions necessary for preservation. Compositional analysis of the biomass after storage shows a reduction in carbohydrate content, a relative increase in lipid content, and no significant change in the protein fraction. Glucose and galactose were the most prevalent sugar monomers. The low dry matter loss and minimal compositional change indicate that wet anaerobic storage is an effective means of preserving algal biomass and ensuring a constant supply of algal biomass feedstock to a biorefinery.

FUNCTIONAL, RHEOLOGICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF FREEZE-DRIED YOGHURT POWDER

In this study, functional, rheological, and microstructural properties of freeze-dried yoghurt powder produced at -49°C and 0.0035 mBar conditions from pre-concentrated non-fat yoghurt were investigated. The sample showed good reconstitutional properties with 204 s, 192 s for wettability and dispersibility respectively and 74% for solubility index. Bulk density value was lower, as 285.71 kg/m3, which may be due to the deformation of casein micelles by freeze drying. The water activity of the yoghurt powder sample was 0.1125, much lower than the critical water activity value. The colour of the original yoghurt, yoghurt powder and reconstituted yoghurt were almost white. Reconstituted yoghurt showed better flow behaviour and consistency when compared to original yoghurt. Loss of soluble dry matter in pre-concentration of original yoghurt may have resulted in high hygroscopic powder. The microscopic imaging of original and reconstituted yoghurt demonstrated homogeneous structures for both, however the latter showed a coarser gel network.

Effect of chemical and biological preservatives and ensiling stage on the dry matter loss, nutritional value, microbial counts, and ruminal in vitro gas production kinetics of wet brewer's grain silage.

This study evaluated the effects of chemical and biological preservatives and ensiling stage on spoilage, ruminal in vitro fermentation, and methane production of wet brewer's grain (WBG) silage. Treatments (TRT) were sodium lignosulfonate at 10 g/kg fresh WBG (NaL1) and 20 g/kg (NaL2), propionic acid at 5 g/kg fresh WBG (PRP, 99%), a combination inoculant (INO; Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus buchneri each at 4.9 log cfu per fresh WBG g), and untreated WBG (CON). Fresh WBG was treated and then ensiled for 60 d, after which mini silos were opened and aerobically exposed (AES) for 10 d. Data were analyzed as an RCBD (five blocks) with a 5 TRT × 3 stages (STG; fresh, ensiled, and AES) factorial arrangement. Results showed that ensiled PRP-treated WBG markedly preserved more water-soluble carbohydrates and starch than all other ensiled TRT (P < 0.001). Dry matter losses of ensiled PRP-treated WBG were 48% lower than all other ensiled TRT (P = 0.009) but were not different than CON in AES (P = 0.350). Due to its greater concentration of digestible nutrients, PRP-treated AES was less aerobically stable than CON (P = 0.03). Preservation was not improved by INO, NaL1, or NaL2 but the latter prevented the increase of neutral detergent fiber across STG (P = 0.392). Apparent in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) decreased only in ensiled CON, INO, and NaL1 relative to fresh WBG and AES NaL2 had greater IVDMD than all other AES TRT (P ≤ 0.032). In vitro ruminal fermentation of fresh WBG resulted in a greater methane concentration and yield than the other STG (P < 0.033). In conclusion, PRP was the most effective at preserving WBG during ensiling but failed to improve aerobic stability under the conditions tested.

Revealing a Significant Latent Loss of Dry Matter in Rice Based on Accurate Measurement of Grain Growth Curve

Against the background of increased population and resource depletion, managing food losses means conserving agricultural production resources and increasing farmer income. This paper mainly introduces the discovery and value of latent loss. In 2019, our experimental team formulated the 5T management method, which concerned the rice harvest period. Moreover, to promote the 5T management method, our team conducted relevant experiments about rice grain growth curve and found an accidental reduction in the dry matter weight of rice. To ensure the accuracy of the results of the latent rice loss in 2019, easy-to-use nuclear magnetic resonance is a non-destructive, rapid evaluation method, which is suitable for accurately determining high-moisture content and multi-variety rice. Overall, the experimental results in 2020 showed that if rice was harvested at the optimal time, the rice loss rate could be reduced by 3.5346%, which is equivalent to a yield of 235,051 tons of rice. The results are in agreement with evidence from field trials and suggest that the latent loss of dry matter caused by delayed harvest not only causes yield losses and economic losses but also increases postharvest grain loss and rice seed shattering loss. This significant factor, the optimal harvest time, in harvest period is strictly controlled to prevent the dry matter loss caused by innate knowledge and traditional management and to provide new possibilities for increasing the amount of available fertile land and generating income.

Effect of microbial inoculant on the fermentation profile, nutritional value and microbial population on corn, sorghum, and pearl millet silages

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of microbial inoculant on the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, pH, dry matter losses, aerobic stability and microbial population on silages of corn, sorghum and pearl millet in plastic bags silos (without vacuum). The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with and without (control) inoculant consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici and on three crops, corn, sorghum and pearl millet, with four replicates. The use of the inoculant did not affect the chemical composition of the silages, except the crude protein (P = 0.0062) and lignin (P = 0.0567) contents. Gas production was neither affected (P &gt; 0.05) by the inoculant nor by the crop. Regarding aerobic stability, we observed that the inoculant affected the temperature of the sorghum silage (P = 0.0123). The inoculant decreased the N-NH3 (P =0.0095) content and increased (P = 0.0441) the lactic acid bacteria population in the silages. Thus, the microbial inoculant did not improve the fermentation profile or nutritional value of corn, pearl millet and sorghum silages in plastic bag silos (without vacuum).