Silage Fermentation Characteristics Research Articles

Effects of Neolamarckia cadamba Leaf Extract on Dynamic Fermentation Characteristics and Bacterial Community of Stylosanthes guianensis Silage

This study focused on exploring the effects of Neolamarckia cadamba leaf extract (NE) on the fermentation process and bacterial community of stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) silage. Fresh raw materials of stylo were ensiled with 0%, 1%, and 2% NE, and various fermentation parameters, nitrogen components, and microbial compositions were analyzed at different time points (days 3, 7, 14, and 30) during the ensiling process. The experiment showed that, in comparison to the control group, incorporating NE into the ensiling process resulted in improved fermentation parameters, including increased lactic acid and acetic acid levels, as well as decreased pH, coliform population, and ammonia nitrogen concentration. Moreover, the relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus were augmented, while the growth of Enterobacter was inhibited by the NE addition. These results suggest that NE has potential as a novel additive for silage, promoting a reduction in harmful bacteria and enhancements in the nutritional quality and fermentation characteristics of stylo silage.

Changes in microbial dynamics and fermentation characteristics of alfalfa silage: A potent approach to mitigate greenhouse gas emission through high-quality forage silage

Feeding ruminants with high-quality forage can enhance digestibility and reduce methane production. Development of high-quality silage from leguminous plants with lactic acid bacteria can improve digestibility and it mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, we developed a high-quality alfalfa silage with improved fermentation index and microbial dynamics using Levilactobacillus brevis-KCC-44 at low or high moisture (LM/HM) conditions and preserved it for 75 or 150 days. Alfalfa fermentation with L. brevis enhances acidification and fermentation characteristics primarily due to the dominance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) L. brevis (>95%) compared to alfalfa fermented with epiphytic LAB. The inoculant L. brevis improved the anaerobic fermentation indexes resulting in a higher level of lactic acid in both high (10.0 ± 0.12 & 8.90 ± 0.31%DM) and low moisture (0.55 ± 0.08 & 0.39 ±0.0 %DM) in 75 and 150 days respectively, compared to control silage. In addition, the marginal amount of acetic acid (range from 0.23 ± 0.07 to 2.04 ± 0.27 %DM) and a reduced level of butyric acid (range between 0.03 ± 0.0 to 0.13± 02 %DM) was noted in silage treated with LAB than the control. The LAB count and abundance of Levilactobacillus were higher in alfalfa silage fermented with L. brevis. Microbial richness and diversity were reduced in alfalfa silage treated with L. brevis which prompted lactic acid production at a higher level even for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, this L. brevis is an effective inoculant for producing high-quality alfalfa silage since it improves fermentation indexes and provides reproducible ensiling properties.

Improvements in fermentation and nutritive quality of elephant grass [Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone] silages: a review.

Elephant grass [Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. syn. Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone], also known as Napier grass and King grass, includes varieties Taiwán, Gigante, Merkerón, Maralfalfa, and others. The grass achieves high biomass production in tropical-subtropical, temperate, and arid areas. The high-water concentration of elephant grass suggests that ensiling could offer an alternative way to preserve the nutritional quality of the grass during storage, however, some considerations should be addressed because of the particularities of the grass. Ensiling elephant grass may produce adequate fermentation but could suffer effluent losses and subsequent losses of nutrients due to leaching. To improve fermentation and nutrient characteristics of elephant grass silages, several studies were conducted with the inclusion of additives. Lactic acid bacteria inocula have reduced pH and increased crude protein content of elephant grass silage, but aerobic stability of silages could be affected by the bacterial inoculation. There is limited information, however, on the potential of different silage inoculants to reduce growth of spoilage microorganisms during the aerobic phase of silage prepared with elephant grass. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes also may improve elephant grass silage quality by enhancing microbial fiber-degradation with subsequent increase in lactic acid and its associated pH reduction. Another study approach to improve fermentation and nutritional quality of elephant grass silages involved the addition of different feeds at ensiling, including conventional feeds such corn, wheat, rice bran, and molasses or alternative feeds such as different dehydrated by-products obtained from the food industries of juice and jelly. In the manuscript, the presented scientific information shows the great potential of the different manipulations to improve the quality of elephant grass silages and with possible enhance of the economic profit and sustainability of livestock farming in the tropical areas.

Effect of Growth Stage on Nutrition, Fermentation Quality, and Microbial Community of Semidry Silage from Forage Soybean.

Soybean (Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.) is highly suitable as animal feed. The silage quality and microbial characteristics of soybean silage are still unclear. Forage soybean (HN389), at six different growth stages (R2-R7), were used as experimental materials to investigate the changes in fermentation, nutritional quality, and microbial characteristics of semidry silage after 0, 7, 14, 30, and 45 d. As the growth period extended, the content of crude protein (CP) and crude fat (EE) gradually increased, while the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the acid detergent fiber (ADF) content decreased. The pH value also decreased gradually with fermentation time, accompanied by increases in the proportion of ammonia-N and the content of lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA). In addition, competitive inhibition was observed in the microbial fermentation. With the process of ensiling, Lactobacillus became the dominant bacterial species. The results indicate that the most active stage of fermentation during ensiling occurred within the first 7 days, the fermentation and nutritional quality of the soybean forage were improved, and the optimal mowing stage was the grain stage. Comparison of the microbial abundance showed that all microorganisms entered a stable stage at 30 days of silage. After storage, the dominant bacteria were Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, and Pantoea.

166 Effect of silo type on fermentation characteristics of laboratory-scale silage

Abstract Creating ensiled forage on a laboratory-scale is a tedious and cumbersome process. One must ensure an anaerobic environment for the success of the fermentation while also striving to replicate field-scale conditions. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of laboratory-scale silo type on nutritive value and fermentation profiles of grass-legume silage. This experiment was conducted as a generalized complete block design. There was one treatment factor (silo type) with 11 levels: field-scale baleage control (CON), miniature wrapped baleage (MINI), large fermentation bucket (6GAL), small fermentation bucket (2GAL), miniature silo (PVC), pint-sized Mason-type jar with “BurpLid” (BURP), pint-sized Mason-type jar with Ball-brand fermentation lid (BALL), pint-sized Mason-type jar with an airlock lid (LOCK), single-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a chamber-style sealer (CHMB), double-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a chamber-style sealer (HCHMB), single-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a suction-style sealer (FOOD), or double-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a suction-style sealer (HFOOD). Harvest served as the random blocking factor. Forage was harvested from a single alfalfa-bermudagrass pastures at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, AL. Forage was cut 24 h before collection and allowed to sun-cure. After allocation to treatment, samples were allowed to ferment for 56 d. Following fermentation, samples were assayed for NDF, ADF, ADL, CP, pH, mold, and yeast. Dunnett’s test revealed a difference (P < 0.05) from CON for NDF, ADF, and pH. Samples from PVC had 26% greater NDF and 45% greater ADF than CON (58 and 37%, respectively). Samples from BALL were 3 units greater and samples from LOCK were 2 units greater in pH than CON (4.8). When comparing alternative treatments exclusive of CON, there were differences (P ≤ 0.01) in NDF, ADF, ADL, pH, and mold counts among treatments. Results are interpreted to mean that BALL and LOCK are not effective representatives of field-scale silage production due to lack of pH drop, while PVC alters the fiber profiles. All other methods showed promise as prospects for laboratory silage procedures.

Effect of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Powder Supplementation on Silage Fermentation Characteristics, Silage Quality, and In Vitro Digestibility in Corn Silage

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the addition of rosemary to corn silage affected the quality, fermentation, and in vitro digestion of organic matter. In the study, unaltered silage group constituted the control group, while silages prepared by adding 0.5, 1 and 2% rosemary constituted the experimental groups. After 60 days of ensiling, the pH of the opened silages was determined to be in the range of 3.67-3.72. As the amount of rosemary in the silages increased, the levels of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N/TN) decreased. Compared to the control group, increases in in-vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) values were observed in the experimental groups due to the addition of rosemary. In comparison to the control group, the methane gas (CH4) rate of silages was reduced in the other groups. Meanwhile, the group receiving 2% addition of rosemary had the highest values of acetic acid (AA) and lactic acid (LA) among the supplemented silage groups. But, propionic acid (PA) and butyric acid (BA) were not detected in any of the silage groups. Consequently, it was determined that 1% and 2% of rosemary added to corn silage can enhance the quality of the silage.

Effect of Adding Fermented Juice of Epiphytic Lactic Acid Bacteria Prepared with Different Sources and Levels of Soluble Carbohydrates on Chemical Composition, Fermentation and Quality Characteristics of Wheat Straw Silages

This study was conducted in Nutrition laboratory belonged to Animal Production Department-Agriculture College - Al-Qasim Green University to investigate the effect of adding fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) prepared with different sources and levels of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) on chemical composition, fermentation and quality characteristics of wheat straw silages (WSS). The FJLB was prepared from wild reed plant with three sources of WSC including glucose (G) at 1 and 2% (w/v, FJLB-G1, FJLB-G2), cane molasses (M) at 3 and 5% (w/v, FJLB-M3, FJLB-M5) and date molasses (D) at 3 and 5% (w/v, FJLB-D3, FJLB-D5). According to the source and level of FJLB, six samples of WSS were prepared by adding each FJLB at level of 1%. For control WWS, distilled water was added at similar quantity as FJLB (WWS-C). Urea and molasses were added to all samples at level of 1 and 10% on dry matter (DM) basis. Samples of WSS were tightly packed in double plastic bags and ensiled anaerobically for 45 days. Color of WSS samples were characterized with acceptable smell. Results showed that there was a significant decrease (p<0.01) in DM content of WWS samples prepared with FJLB-M3 and FJLB-M5 as compared with WWS-C. However, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and crude fiber (CF) contents in WWS were not affected by addition of FJLB. Addition of FJLB improved fermentation characteristics of WWS, lactic acid (LA) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were significantly (p<0.01) increased. Moreover, lower (p<0.01) DM losses were estimated in WSS prepared FJLBs.

Effect of Adding Fermented Juice of Epiphytic Lactic Acid Bacteria Prepared with Different Sources of Soluble Carbohydrates on Fermentation Characteristics of Wheat Straw Silage, Rumen Fermentation and Nutrients Digestibility by Awassi Lambs

This study was conducted to determine the effect of using different sources of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in preparation of fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) added at ensiling on fermentation characteristics of wheat straw silages (WSS), rumen fermentation and nutrients digestibility by Awassi lambs. The FJLBs were prepared from wild reed plant with glucose at 2% (w/v, FJLB-G), cane molasses at 5% (w/v, FJLB-M) or date molasses at 5% (w/v, FJLB-D). Wheat straw were ensiled for 45 days with addition of FJLBs at level of 1%, for control WSS, distilled water was added at similar quantity as FJLB (WWS-C). Urea and molasses were added to all WSS at level of 1 and 10% on dry matter (DM) basis. Twelve lambs were used in 4 treatments with 3 lambs per each. Lambs were fed concentrate diet at 3% of their BW with free allowances of WSS. Results revealed that ensiling WS with FJLBs improved silage fermentation as evidenced by lower (P<0.01) pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration together with higher (P<0.01) lactic acid (LA) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations. Higher (P<0.01) digestibilities of most nutrients including cell wall components were associated with lambs fed WSS-M and WSS-D as compared with those fed WSS-G and WSS-C. However, higher (P<0.01) organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP), digestibilities were recorded by lambs fed WSS-M. Moreover, ruminal NH3-N and VFA were positively influenced by feeding WSS prepared with FJLB in general, FJLB-M and FJLB-D in particular.

Effects of Different Lactic Acid Bacteria in Single or Mixed Form on the Fermentative Parameters and Nutrient Contents of Early Heading Triticale Silage for Livestock.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are excellent anaerobic fermenters that produce highly valuable grass-based animal feed containing essential nutrients. In the present study, an ensiling process was used to improve anaerobic fermentation in triticale silage under different moisture conditions with LAB. The triticale was treated with either a single bacterium or combined LAB and then vacuum-sealed. After 180 and 360 days of storage, the silage's fermentation characteristics, microbial changes and nutrient contents were analyzed. The pH of the silage was significantly lower than the control silage. There was a significant difference in the pH values between the silages treated with single or mixed LAB. The LAB treatment led to a substantial increase in lactic acid (LA), a decrease in butyric acid (BA), and marginal levels of acetic acid (AA). The LA content after the mixed LAB treatment was significantly higher than that after the single culture LAB treatment. After single or combined inoculant treatments, the LAB population in the silage increased, while the yeast and mold levels decreased. These findings suggest that the addition of LAB to silage during ensiling could enhance the nutritional quality and reduce unwanted microbial growth. The mixed LAB treatments produced silage with a significantly higher nutritional value than the single LAB treatments.

PSVIII-A-7 Effects of New Forage Barley and Oat Varieties on Silage Fermentation Characteristics, and Feed Intake, Milk Production and Composition, and N Balance in Dairy Cows

Abstract Forages are the foundation of dairy cow diets and typically comprise 50% of the dietary dry matter and ≥40% of the total NEL intake. New forage barley (CDC Renegade; designated RENE) and forage oat (CDC Arborg; ARBO) varieties are available for feeding dairy cows in western Canada. The objectives were to determine the ensiling characteristics of RENE and ARBO and to compare the effects of feeding them as the major forage source on feed intake, milk yield and composition, ruminal pH, and nitrogen (N) balance in dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (82 ± 12 days-in-milk at the beginning of the study) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design study with 14 d of dietary adaptation and 7 d of data and sample collection. Cows in one Latin square were ruminally cannulated to determine dietary effects on ruminal pH and N balance. The four diets tested contained RENE, ARBO, Conlon (CONL), and Rosser (ROSS) silages as the major source of forage, with ROSS and CONL being included for comparison as they are commonly used barley varieties in western Canada. Silage fermentation characteristics were largely similar for the four forages, except for total short-chain fatty acid concentrations which tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for RENE and ROSS when compared with CONL and ARBO. Silage starch contents were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for CONL and ROSS when compared with RENE and ARBO, which were similar. Silage aNDFom contents were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for RENE and ARBO when compared with CONL and ROSS, which were similar. Dry matter intake (mean = 34.3 kg/d) and milk yield (mean = 48.6 kg/d) were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.42). Milk fat content was greater (P = 0.03) for cows fed RENE compared with those fed CONL, with that of cows fed ROSS and ARBO being intermediate and not different to RENE and CONL. Milk fat yield was greater (P = 0.02) for cows fed RENE compared with those fed ROSS, with that of cows fed CONL and ARBO being intermediate and not different to RENE and ROSS. Intake of N, urinary and fecal excretion of N, total N excretion, milk N, and apparent N balance were unaffected by diet (P ≥ 0.21). Mean ruminal pH was greater (P = 0.02) in cows fed ARBO compared with those fed ROSS, with that of cows fed CONL and RENE being intermediate and not different to CONL and RENE. Our results show that the new forage varieties, RENE and ARBO, can support similar levels of milk yield compared with forage varieties such as CONL and ROSS.

Do regrowth age and microbial inoculant usage affect the microbial diversity and fermentation characteristics of forage peanut silage?

AbstractThis study evaluated the fermentation characteristics, microbial diversity, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of forage peanut silage harvested at two regrowth ages and treated with microbial inoculants at different fermentation periods. A randomized block design was used, with two regrowth ages (R; 40 and 80 days), three microbial inoculants (I; control without inoculant [CTRL], strain AV14.17—Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strain AV14.17 [ISO], and commercial inoculant [CI] Sil‐All 4 × 4 (Lallemand Animal Nutrition®, Patos de Minas‐MG, Brazil), and four storage time (ST; 3, 14, 30, and 60 days after ensiling) arranged in a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial scheme, with four replications. The R × I × ST interaction had a significant effect (p ≤ .05) on the ammoniacal nitrogen content in relation to total nitrogen (NH3‐N/ total N) and on the yeast population. The I × ST interaction also had a significant effect (p ≤ .05) on pH, soluble carbohydrate, NH3‐N/total N, lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi. Inoculated silages with ISO and CI showed lower pH and NH3‐N/total N values, as well as lower abundance of enterobacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi. In silages inoculated with ISO, the relative abundance of genus Lactiplantibacillus was high and that of genus Enterobacter was low. Silages inoculated with ISO and CI showed predominance of the family Lactobacillaceae. The data support the recommendation to ensile forage peanut at both regrowth ages (40 and 80 days) associated with microbial inoculant application to promote improvements in the fermentation characteristics of the silage and a greater abundance of genus Lactiplantibacillus.

Evaluation of the fermentation performance and functional properties of bacterial communities of amaranth silage supplemented with Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Latilactobacillus graminis

BackgroundThe objective was to determine the effects of different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriaus) silage fermentation characteristics, changes in bacterial communities and their functional properties, and to investigate the preferential effects and mechanisms of action of Limosilactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) and Latilactobacillus graminis (L. graminis) on the bacterial communities of silage. LAB were screened and identified from native grasses and its naturally fermented silage, and their effects on fermentation performance and bacterial community of amaranth after 60 days of fermentation were investigated. BL1 and BL5 strains were identified as L. fermentum and L. graminis, respectively. They could grow normally at concentrations of 3.0% and 6.5% NaCl, tolerating pH and temperature ranges of 3.5 –9.0 and 4.0 – 9.0, 30 – 45 ℃ and 10 – 45 ℃, respectively. The distilled water, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (commercial inoculant), L. fermentum, and L. graminis were inoculated into amaranth at a total of 1 × 105 cfu/g fresh material and labeled AhSCK, AhSLP, AhSLF, and AhSLG, respectively, while the fresh amaranth was labeled YLS.ResultsAs expected, the water soluble carbohydrates of AhSCK was lower than AhSLG (p < 0.05). The highest number of LAB was found in AhSLF (p < 0.05). The lactic acid (LA) content of AhSLP was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other silage. Nevertheless, acetic acid (AA) content of AhSLF was significantly different from other silage (p < 0.05). All the amaranth silage was well preserved with low pH (4.16 – 4.51) and acceptable levels of butyric acid (0.00 – 0.86%FM). At the species level, Pantoea agglomerans, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, and Cenchrus americanus served as the dominant strains in fresh amaranth, with relative abundances lower than 1% after ensiling.. Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Levilactobacillus brevis, and L. fermentum were the dominant strains of AhSCK, AhSLP and AhSLF. Nevertheless, the predominant strains of AhSLG was Xanthomonas oryzae. Both fresh material and silage, L. fermentum, L. plantarum, Levilactobacillus brevis, Pantoea agglomerans, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Cenchrus americanus, Pseudomonas coleopterorum, Priestia aryabhattai, and Exiguobacterium sibiricum were significantly different in relative abundance (p < 0.01).Functional prediction analysis showed that in pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism were enriched after ensiling. AhSLF showed the most obvious trend of increasing abundance of pentose phosphate pathway, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and biosynthesis of antibiotics, while the abundance of metabolic pathways decreased significantly (p < 0.05).ConclusionsL. fermentum can be recommended as an additive to improve the quality of amaranth silage, as it regulates the epiphytic microbiota in silage, improving the fermentation quality and metabolic capacity of the bacterial community.Graphical

Effects of inoculation of corn silage with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on silage fermentation characteristics, nutrient digestibility, mycoflora and aflatoxin production

In the present study, fresh whole corn plants along with half milk kernels line were treated with live and hydrolysed yeast with different concentrations before ensiling and kept in airtight bags and then into mini silos in order to achieve anaerobic conditions for proper fermentation. The buckets were opened after different time intervals to characterise the material, quick acidification, dry matter recovery, and aerobic stability of silage respectively. Moreover, mycoflora and aflatoxin contamination were also analysed. The overall result reported that the silage quality was improved by the application of live and hydrolysed yeast. The best result was reported by the application of live yeast (T2: 10 g/kg) which significantly improved the fermentative, proximate, and digestibility parameters and reduced the mycoflora and aflatoxin contamination. Our results present promising new options for the use of natural compounds that may help to improve silage quality and reduce aflatoxin contamination.

In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Characteristics, Estimated Utilizable Crude Protein and Metabolizable Energy Values of Grass Silages, Concentrate Feeds and Their Mixtures.

Four formulations of concentrate feeds, three contrasting qualities of grass silages, and mixtures of the silages (55%) and concentrates (45%, dry weight) were tested for in vitro fermentation kinetics, in vitro dry matter degradation (IVDMD), utilizable crude protein (uCP), and metabolizable energy (ME) values. The concentrates were pelleted control concentrate for dairy cows (CONT-P); pelleted alkaline concentrate with ammoniated cereal grains (ALKA-P); mash form concentrate with ALKA-P main ingredients but with feed-grade urea and barley replacing ammoniated cereal grain (UREA-M); and mash form of ALKA-P ingredients prior to alkalization (ALKA-M). The grass silages were early cut, late cut, and a mixture (1:1) of early and late cut. The objectives were to test if the feeds differed in the tested parameters within each feed category and assess the modulatory effect of concentrate feeds on the grass silage fermentation characteristics in the mixed diets. No interaction effects of the concentrate feeds by silage quality were observed for the tested parameters in the mixed diets. For concentrates, the pelleted diets were higher (p < 0.05) in IVDMD and molar proportion of propionate but lower in butyrate. The ALKA-P produced the highest estimated uCP (p < 0.01). For silages, uCP, ME, total short-chain fatty acids (VFAs), and molar proportions of propionate and branched-chain VFAs decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing stage of maturity. In conclusion, the ALKA-P could match the CONT-P in uCP and ME values and fermentation characteristics. Results for silages and their mixtures with concentrates highlight the importance of silage quality in dietary energy and protein supply for ruminants.

Autumn grass treated with a hydrolysable tannin extract versus lactic acid bacteria inoculant: Effects on silage fermentation characteristics and nutritional value and on performance of lactating dairy cows.

Hydrolysable tannins (HT) show potential as silage additive for autumn herbage silages, high in (rumen degradable) protein, as they may reduce proteolysis.Additionally, they have abilities to form pH-reversible tannin-protein complexes, non-degradable in the rumen but degradable in theabomasum and intestines of ruminants. Therefore they can improve milk N efficiency and shift N excretions from urine to faeces, possibly mitigating the environmental impact of ruminants. In this study, two small bunker silos were filled with autumn grass. One was treated with 20 g/kg DM HT extract (TAN) (TannoSan-L), the other with 8 mg/kg DM inoculant containing lactic acid bacteria (INO) (Bonsilage Fit G). Secondly, micro-silos (2.75 L) were filled with four treatments; (1) grass without additive (CON) (n = 5); (2) TAN (n = 5); (3) INO (n = 5); and (4) TAN + INO (n = 5). The bunker silos were used in a cross-over feeding experiment with periods of 4 weeks involving 22 lactating Holstein cows (average ± SD: 183 ± 36.3 days in milk, 665 ± 71.0 kg body weight, and 33.8 ± 3.91 kg/day milk yield). The HT dose was insufficient to reduce proteolysis or alter chemical composition and nutritional value in the micro- and bunker silages. Including grass silage added with TAN (3.2 g HT/kg DM) in the diet, did not affect feed intake nor fat and protein corrected milk yield in comparison to feeding the grass silage added with INO in a similar diet. The TAN-fed cows had an increased faecal N excretion and decreased apparent total-tract N and organic matter digestibility, but no improvement in the cows' N utilization could be confirmed in milk and blood urea levels. Overall, feeding an autumn grass silage treated with 20 g/kg chestnut HT extract did not affect the performance of dairy cows in comparison to feeding an autumn grass silage treated with a lactic acid bacteria inoculant.

Effect of Mixing Peanut Vine on Fermentation Quality, Nitrogen Fraction and Microbial Community of High-Moisture Alfalfa Silage

Fresh alfalfa is difficult to ensile successfully because of its high moisture content and greater susceptibility to spoilage by Clostridia, Bacilli or Enterobacter. In this study, we evaluated the effects of mixing high-moisture alfalfa with peanut vine in different proportions on the bacterial communities and fermentation characteristics of silage. The high-moisture alfalfa and peanut vine were mixed at ratios of 10:0 (CK), 8:2 (TI), 7:3 (T2), 6:4 (T3) and 5:5 (T4), respectively. For each treatment, silos (25 × 35 cm) were anaerobically fermented in darkness at room temperature and analyzed after 45 days. The results showed that the CK silage was weakly fermented, as indicated by a low lactic acid concentration, a high pH value, and high levels of propionic acid (PA), butyric acid (BA) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). As the proportion of peanut vine in the mixture increased, the pH level decreased, and levels of BA, propionic acid, NH3-N, crude protein(CP), nonprotein nitrogen and soluble protein also declined (p &lt; 0.05), while the lactic acid concentration increased and levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) also rose (p &lt; 0.05). A protein component analysis of silage mixtures using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) showed that the content of the nonprotein nitrogen component (PA) decreased when the proportion of peanut vine increased, whereas the content of rapidly degraded protein (PB1) increased. Mixing with peanut vine also influenced the distribution of the bacterial community. Compared with the CK silage, the relative abundances of Enterococcus, Garciella and Anaerosporobacter in T2, T3 and T4 were significantly lower, while the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly higher. In the T2, T3 and T4 groups, Garciella and Anaerosporobacter were not detected. In summary, in this study, we ensiled high-moisture alfalfa, which was weakly fermented. We found that mixing with peanut vine improved fermentation quality and optimized the structure of the bacterial community. Therefore, to improve the fermentation quality and nutritional value of silage, high-moisture alfalfa should be ensiled with at least 30% peanut vine.

Flint corn silage management: influence of maturity stage, inoculation with Lentilactobacillus buchneri, and storage time on fermentation pattern, aerobic stability, and nutritional characteristics.

High quality corn silage depends on factors such as corn type, stage of crop development at harvest time, fermentation time, in addition to use or not of inoculants. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maturity stage, bacterial inoculation, and storage time on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutritional characteristics of flint corn silage and their implications for corn silage management. A flint corn hybrid was harvested very early, early, and medium (at 250, 300 and 350 g dry matter (DM)/kg as fed, respectively) and ensiled in mini-silos without (control) or with Lentilactobacillus buchneri CNCM I-4323 at 1 × 105 cfu/g for 120, 240 and 360 d to investigate how these factors interact with each other. There was only a small increase (7 g/kg starch; p = 0.003) in starch digestibility (starch-D) in the silages stored for 360 d when compared to that stored for 240 d, but with no difference for 120 d. Despite the reduced starch-D (526 vs. 694 g/kg starch; p < 0.001), silages produced from medium harvest had higher (p < 0.001) starch content (317 vs. 137 g/kg DM) and higher amount of digestible starch (169 vs. 98.5 g/kg DM; p < 0.001) compared to very early harvest. The 2-way interactions (inoculation × storage time and maturity × storage time) showed that inoculation of corn silage with L. buchneri increased (p < 0.001) the aerobic stability, and that more mature crop silage had higher aerobic stability (140 h; p = 0.036) than the others (118 and 48.5 h for those silages from very early and early harvest). The storage for a longer time (>120 d) with the goal of increasing silage digestibility did not occur. Harvesting whole-crop flint corn with 300 to 350 g/kg DM is desirable to have higher DM yield and starch accumulation. Inoculation with L. buchneri is recommended to preserve the silage against aerobic deterioration. This study has shown the importance of harvesting flint corn at the right time, and the need for inoculation with L. buchneri to ensure greater yield, starch accumulation, and silage preservation, if 120 days of storage are not exceeded.

Effect of bacterial inoculants and their combination with enzymes and chemical additives on fermentation characteristics and ensiling period of maize silage

The study aimed to investigate effect of bacterial inoculants and their combinations with exogenous enzymes and chemical additives on the fermentation characteristics of maize silage at various ensiling periods. Five treatments were prepared viz., bacterial inoculant Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and Lactobacillus fermentum (LF) (control), combination of LP+LF with xylanase enzyme (X), combination of LP+LF with cellulase enzyme (C), combination of LP+LF with X+C and combination of LP+LF with propionic acid (PA). Among the treatments, LP+LF+X+C additive treated silage had minimum dry matter loss throughout ensiling period. There was no significant difference in pH between LP+LF+X+C and LP+LF+X treated silage, but numerically pH value was lower in LP+LF+X+C treated silage. Lactic acid content significantly declined as ensiling period progresses but there was no significant difference among LP+LF+X+C, LP+LF+X treated silage and 15th, 25th days of ensiling. Lactic acid to acetic acid ratio was significantly improved in LP+LF+X+C treated silage as compared to other treatment combinations. The microbial count of silage was increased up to the 15th day of ensiling. This study concluded that desirable pH, lactic acid and flieg point required for good quality silage could be achieved on 15th day of ensiling in silages treated with LP+LF+X+C and LP+LF+X additive combination.

Dynamic fermentation quality and bacterial community structure of paper mulberry silage from three regions of China

BackgroundPaper mulberry has been regarded as a potential protein resource for relieving the forage supply crisis, and ensiling has become the most important method for preserving it. An in-depth analysis of the fermentation characteristics of paper mulberry silage could provide a theoretical basis for producing high-quality silage. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dynamic fermentation quality and bacterial community of paper mulberry silages harvested from different regions in China.ResultsThe results showed an increased trend in ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration, despite a decrease in pH with prolonged ensiling days. Furthermore, fermentation patterns varied among paper mulberry silages from three regions. Paper mulberry from Zhuozhou, Hebei (HZ) showed the highest dry matter (DM) content and a slight decrease in pH during ensiling. While the lowest DM content was observed in Hechi, Guangxi (GH), which exhibited abnormal fermentation in the silage. In particular, silage from Lankao, Henan (HL) exhibited the best fermentation quality, with lower pH and NH3-N concentration, and higher lactic acid concentration than others (P < 0.05). The bacterial richness and evenness also declined with prolonged ensiling. Among all samples, Enterobacter was the most abundant in all silages, with a trend of increasing and then decreasing during the fermentation process. Pseudocitrobacter dominated in GH silage with abnormal fermentation. Although the bacteria community during ensiling varied widely among silages from different regions, Enterobacter cloacae and Lactobacillus plantarum were the main differential bacteria in silage quality of paper mulberry.ConclusionEnsiling days and regions had significant effects on the fermentation patterns and bacterial community of paper mulberry silage which might be due to the differences in DM content. Notably, silage quality showed a close relationship with Enterobacter cloacae and Lactobacillus plantarum. Inhibiting the proliferation of Enterobacter and Pseudocitrobacter could be critical for improving the fermentation quality of paper mulberry silage.Graphical

Assessing the impact of phyllosphere microbiota on dynamics of in-silo fermentation of Italian ryegrass harvested at heading and blooming stages.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the phyllosphere microbiota of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) harvested at heading (H) [> 50% earing rate or 216 g kg-1 fresh weight (FW)] and blooming (B) (> 50% bloom or 254 g kg-1 FW) stages and in-silo fermentation products, and the composition, abundance, diversity and activity of bacterial community. In total, 72 (4 treatments × 6 ensiling durations × 3 replicates) laboratory scale (400 g) silages of Italian ryegrass were prepared: (i) irradiated heading stage silages (IRH) (n=36) were inoculated with phyllosphere microbiota inoculum (2mL) eluted from fresh Italian ryegrass at either heading (IH) (n=18) or blooming (IB) (n=18) stages; (ii) irradiated blooming stage silages (IRB) (n=36) were inoculated with either IH (n=18) or IB (n=18). Triplicate silos of each treatment were analyzed after 1, 3, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of ensiling. In fresh forage, Enterobacter, Exiguobacterium and Pantoea were the three major genera at heading stage, and Rhizobium, Weissella and Lactococcus were the most abundant genera at blooming stage. Higher metabolic activity was found in IB. After 3 days of ensiling, the large amounts of lactic acid in IRH-IB and IRB-IB can be attributed to the higher abundances of Pediococcus and Lactobacillus, 1-phosphofructokinase, fructokinase, l-lactate dehydrogenase and glycolysis I, II and III. The composition, abundance, diversity and functionality of the phyllosphere microbiota of Italian ryegrass at different growth stages could remarkably affect silage fermentation characteristics. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.