Whole-plant corn was harvested at 33 (normal) and 41% (moderately high) dry matter (DM) and ensiled in quadruplicate 20-L laboratory silos to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 ...(LB) or L. plantarum MTD-1 (LP) alone, or in combination, on the fermentation and aerobic stability of the resulting silage. Aerobic stability was defined as the amount of time after exposure to air for the silage temperature to reach 2°C above ambient temperature. The chopped forage was used in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments: normal and moderately high DM contents, LB at 0 (untreated) or 4×105 cfu/g of fresh forage, and LP at 0 or 1×105 cfu/g. After 240 d of ensiling, corn silage harvested at the moderately high DM had higher pH, higher concentrations of ethanol, and more yeasts compared with the silage ensiled at the normal DM content. Inoculation with LB did not affect the concentration of lactic acid in silages with a moderately high DM, but decreased the concentration of lactic acid in the silage with normal DM. Higher concentrations of acetic acid were found in the silage treated with LB compared with those not treated with this organism. Inoculation with LP increased the concentration of lactic acid only in the silage with the normal DM content. The concentration of acetic acid was lower in silage treated with LP with a moderately high DM content, but greater in the silage treated with LP with the normal DM content when compared with silages without this inoculant. Appreciable amounts of 1,2-propanediol (average 1.65%, DM basis) were found in all silages treated with LB regardless of the DM content. The addition of L. buchneri increased the concentration of NH3-N in silages but the addition of L. plantarum decreased it. Aerobic stability was improved in all silages treated with LB, with greater aerobic stability occurring in the silage with moderately high DM compared with silage with normal DM content. Inoculation with LP had no effect on aerobic stability. There were no interactions between L. buchneri and L. plantarum for most fermentation products or aerobic stability of the silages. This study showed that inoculating whole-plant corn with L. buchneri 40788 or L. plantarum MTD-1 has different beneficial effects on the resulting silage. There appear to be no major interactions between these organisms when added together to forage. Thus, there is potential to add both organisms simultaneously to improve the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage.
The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the potential of promising summer maize genotypes and optimal stage of harvesting these genotypes for ensiling in terms of dry matter (DM), starch, and crude ...protein (CP) yields, silage fermentation quality, nutrients profile, total digestible nutrients, metabolizable energy (ME) content, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) carbohydrate (CHO) subfractions composition, in vitro DM digestibility (DMD) and in situ starch degradation characteristics. Six maize genotypes were chosen for the study: DK9108 from Monsanto, P30Y87, P3939 from Pioneer, QPM-300 (quality protein maize) and W94 from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and a local cultivar, Afgoii, from the Cereal Research Institute (Persabaq, KP). A total of 72 plots (8 m × 10 m) were blocked in three replicate fields, and within each field, each genotype was sown in four replicate plots according to a randomized complete block design. For the data analysis, the Proc-Mixed procedure of Statistical Analysis System with repeated measure analysis of variance was used. The DM yield was strongly influenced (P < 0.001) by maize genotypes, varying from 12.6 to 17.0 tons/ha. Except for total CHO and ammonia nitrogen (NH
-N), the contents of all measured chemical components varied (P < 0.001) among the genotypes. Further comparison revealed that, genotype P3939 had a higher (P < 0.05) content of CP (7.27 vs. 6.92%), starch (36.7 vs. 27.9%), DMD (65.4 vs. 60.0%), ME (2.51 vs. 2.30 Mcal/kg) and lactic acid (5.32 vs. 4.83%) and lowest content of NDF (37.3 vs. 43.1%), pH (3.7 vs. 4.10) compared to the local cultivar (Afgoii). Advancement of post-flowering maturity from 25 to 35% DM (23 to 41 days after flowering (DAF)) increased (P < 0.05) the DM yield (10.4 to 17.8 tons/ha), starch content (29.1 to 35.0%), DMD (65.3 to 67.3%) and ME (2.34 to 2.47 Mcal/kg), and decreased (P < 0.001) the contents of CP (7.42-6.73%), NDF (48.8-38.5%), pH (4.10 to 3.60), NH
-N (8.93-7.80%N) and effective degradability of starch (95.4 to 89.4). Results showed that for higher yields and silage nutritional and fermentation quality, maize crops should be harvested at whole crop DM content of 30-35% (34 to 41 DAF). It was further concluded that genotype P3939 is the most suitable summer maize genotype for silage production in terms of yields and silage nutritional and fermentation quality under the hot environmental conditions of the tropics.
Aims
To evaluate the capacity of Lactobacillus hilgardii and Lactobacillus buchneri on modifying the bacterial community and improving fermentation and aerobic stability of high‐moisture corn (HMC).
...Methods and Results
High‐moisture corn was untreated (CTR), treated with L. hilgardii (LH) or L. buchneri (LB) at 600 000 CFU per gram fresh weight, or with L. hilgardii and L. buchneri at 300 000 CFU per gram fresh weight each (LHLB), and stored for 10, 30 or 92 days. Compared to CTR, inoculated silages had higher Lactobacillaceae relative abundance, lower yeasts numbers and higher aerobic stability. Treatment with LHLB resulted in a higher acetic acid concentration than LH and higher 1,2 propanediol concentration than LB, such differences were numerically greater at 10 and 30 days but statistically greater at 92 days. At 10 days, all inoculated silages were more stable than CTR, but LHLB was even more stable than LB or LH.
Conclusions
The combination of L. hilgardii and L. buchneri had a synergistic effect on yeast inhibition, leading to greater improvements in aerobic stability as early as 10 days after ensiling.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Lactobacillus hilgardii, especially in combination with L. buchneri, can improve the aerobic stability of HMC after a very short period of ensiling.
Aim
To explore the potential of whole‐plant quinoa (WPQ) as a high‐protein source for livestock feed, this study evaluated the effects of additives on the fermentation quality and bacterial community ...of high‐moisture WPQ silage.
Methods and Results
High‐moisture WPQ was ensiled with one of the following additives: untreated control (C), fibrolytic enzyme (E), molasses (M), LAB inoculant (L), a combination of fibrolytic enzyme and LAB inoculant (EL) and a combination of molasses and LAB inoculant (ML). The fermentation quality and bacterial community after 60 days of ensiling were analysed. Naturally fermented WPQ exhibited acetic acid‐type fermentation dominated by enterobacteria, with low lactic acid content (37.0 g/kg DM), and high pH value (5.65), acetic acid (70.8 g/kg DM) and NH3‐N production (229 g/kg TN). Adding molasses alone or combined with LAB inoculant shifted the fermentation pattern towards increased intensity of lactic acid fermentation, lowering the pH value (<4.56), contents of acetic acid (<46.7 g/kg DM) and NH3‐N (<140 g/kg TN) and total abundance of enterobacteria (<16.0%), and increasing the lactic acid content (>60.5 g/kg DM), lactic/acetic acid ratio (>1.40) and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (>83.0%).
Conclusions
The results suggested that the lack of fermentable sugar could be the main factor of restricting extensive lactic acid fermentation in WPQ silage. Supplementing fermentable sugar or co‐ensiling with materials with high WSC content and low moisture content are expected to be beneficial strategies for producing high‐quality WPQ silage.
Significance and Impact of Study
High biomass production and high protein content make WPQ to be an ideal forage source for livestock feed. Results of this study revealed the restricting factor for extensive lactic acid fermentation in WPQ silage, which could be helpful in producing high‐quality WPQ silage.
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of replacing grass silage (GS) with corn silage (CS) in dairy cow diets on enteric methane (CH4) production, rumen volatile fatty acid ...concentrations, and milk fatty acid (FA) composition. A completely randomized block design experiment was conducted with 32 multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian cows. Four dietary treatments were used, all having a roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 80:20 based on dry matter (DM). The roughage consisted of either 100% GS, 67% GS and 33% CS, 33% GS and 67% CS, or 100% CS (all DM basis). Feed intake was restricted (95% of ad libitum DM intake) to avoid confounding effects of DM intake on CH4 production. Nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, milk production and composition, nitrogen (N) and energy balance, and CH4 production were measured during a 5-d period in climate respiration chambers after adaptation to the diet for 12 d. Increasing CS proportion linearly decreased neutral detergent fiber and crude protein intake and linearly increased starch intake. Milk production and milk fat content (on average 23.4kg/d and 4.68%, respectively) were not affected by increasing CS inclusion, whereas milk protein content increased quadratically. Rumen variables were unaffected by increasing CS inclusion, except the molar proportion of butyrate, which increased linearly. Methane production (expressed as grams per day, grams per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk, and as a percent of gross energy intake) decreased quadratically with increasing CS inclusion, and decreased linearly when expressed as grams of CH4 per kilogram of DM intake. In comparison with 100% GS, CH4 production was 11 and 8% reduced for the 100% CS diet when expressed per unit of DM intake and per unit fat- and protein-corrected milk, respectively. Nitrogen efficiency increased linearly with increased inclusion of CS. The concentration of trans C18:1 FA, C18:1 cis-12, and total CLA increased quadratically, and iso C16:0, C18:1 cis-13, and C18:2n-6 increased linearly, whereas the concentration of C15:0, iso C15:0, C17:0, and C18:3n-3 decreased linearly with increasing inclusion of CS. No differences were found in short- and medium-straight, even-chain FA concentrations, with the exception of C4:0 which increased linearly with increased inclusion of CS. Replacing GS with CS in a common forage-based diet for dairy cattle offers an effective strategy to decrease enteric CH4 production without negatively affecting dairy cow performance, although a critical level of starch in the diet seems to be needed.
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•A novel concept to integrate two-stage anaerobic digestion and HTC.•The energy valorization of maize silage digestate (TMSD) by HTC was evaluated.•Best combustion performance ...(hydrochar) and energy recovery were from 180 °C HTC.•Up to 278 mL CH4/g COD was obtained from the process water.•The novel concept was proved feasible by the preliminary co-digesting test.
This study proposed a novel bioeconomy concept of combining two-stage anaerobic digestion (TSAD) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). The maize silage digestate from the acidification reactor (AR) of the TSAD was hydrothermally carbonized at 180, 200, and 220 °C for 30 min. This was followed by the biogas potential test of the process water and the co-digestion test of the hydrolysate (the liquid product from the AR) and the process water (180 °C). The results show that higher HTC temperatures resulted in lower yield, volatile matter content, and comprehensive combustibility index of the hydrochars. The COD, TOC, and specific methane yield of the process water decreased when increasing the HTC temperature. The modified Gompertz equation successfully described the methane formation of the aqueous samples. The process water from HTC at 180 °C obtained the highest specific methane yield (278 mL CH4/g COD). The highest total energy recovery from hydrochar and process water (methane production) was also achieved at 180 °C. The co-digestion test shows the feasibility of circularly coupling TSAD and HTC, while further optimization is still needed.
•Napier grass ensiled with molasses (M), formic acid (F) and fibrolytic enzyme (E).•Additives and storage days improved fermentation quality then control (C) silages.•All additive reduced the cell ...wall content with high value in E silage.•Glucose and fructose rapidly drop in the first 7days of ensilage.•Molasses and formic acid improved enzymatic digestibility than E and C silage.
Ensiling characteristics, structural and nonstructural carbohydrate composition and enzymatic digestibility (ED) of Napier grass silage was examined. Napier grass ensiled with no additive control, 0.2% formic acid, 0.4% molasses, and 0.3% fibrolytic enzyme for, 7, 30, 60 and 90days. Additives increased lactic acid, soluble carbohydrate and decreased all of lignocellulosic contents except acid detergent lignin and pH than control. The highest value of nonstructural carbohydrate and large reduction in lignocellulosic contents was observed in formic acid and fibrolytic enzyme silage respectively. The content of glucose and fructose showed rapid drop in the first 7days of ensilage. Ensilage decreased lignocellulosic contents and increased ED compared to fresh material. The ED of formic acid and molasses silage was significantly higher than control and fibrolytic enzyme silages in all tested days. In summery the ensiling quality structural and nonstructural carbohydrate and ED value of mature Napier grass silage improved through additives.
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of beet pulp (BP) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on silage fermentation quality and in vitro ruminal dry matter (DM) digestion of vegetable ...residues, including white cabbage, Chinese cabbage, red cabbage, and lettuce. Silage was prepared using a small-scale fermentation system, and treatments were designed as control silage without additive or with BP (30% fresh matter basis), LAB inoculant Chikuso-1 (Lactobacillus plantarum, 5mg/kg, fresh matter basis), and BP+LAB. In vitro incubation was performed using rumen fluid mixed with McDougall's artificial saliva (at a ratio of 1:4, vol/vol) at 39°C for 6h to determine the ruminal fermentability of the vegetable residue silages. These vegetable residues contained high levels of crude protein (20.6–22.8% of DM) and moderate levels of neutral detergent fiber (22.7–33.6% of DM). In all silages, the pH sharply decreased and lactic acid increased, and the growth of bacilli, coliform bacteria, molds, and yeasts was inhibited by the low pH at the early stage of ensiling. The silage treated with BP or LAB had a lower pH and a higher lactic acid content than the control silage. After 6h of incubation, all silages had relatively high DM digestibility (38.6–44.9%); in particular, the LAB-inoculated silage had the highest DM digestibility and the lowest methane production. The vegetable residues had high nutritional content and high in vitro DM digestibility. Also, both the addition of a LAB inoculant and moisture adjustment with BP improved the fermentation quality of the vegetable residue silages. In addition, LAB increased DM digestibility and decreased ruminal methane production.
Variation in feed components contributes to variation and uncertainty of diets delivered to dairy cows. Forages often have a high inclusion rate (50 to 70% of DM fed) and variable composition, thus ...are an important contributor to nutrient variability of delivered diets. Our objective was to quantify the variation and identify the main sources of variability in corn silage and alfalfa-grass haylage composition at harvest (fresh forage) and feed-out (fermented forage) on NY dairy farms. Corn silage and alfalfa-grass haylage were sampled on 8 NY commercial dairy farms during harvest in the summer and fall of 2020 and during their subsequent feed-out in the winter and spring of 2021. At harvest, a composite sample of fresh chopped forage of every 8-ha section of individual fields was collected from piles delivered for silo filling. During a 16-week feed-out period, 2 independent samples of each forage were collected 3 times per week. The fields-of-origin of each forage sample during feed-out were identified and recorded using silo maps created at filling. A mixed-model analysis quantified the variance of corn silage DM, NDF, and starch and haylage DM, NDF, and CP content. Fixed effects included soil type, weather conditions, and management practices during harvest and feed-out while random effects were farm, silo unit, field, and day. At harvest, between-farm variability was the largest source of variation for both corn silage and haylage, but within-farm sources of variation exceeded farm-to-farm variation for haylage at feed-out. At feed-out, haylage DM and NDF content had higher within-farm variability than corn silage. In contrast, corn silage starch showed higher within-farm variation at feed-out than haylage CP content. For DM content at feed-out, day-to-day variation was the most relevant source of within-farm variation for both forages. However, for the nutrient components at feed-out (NDF and CP for haylage; NDF and starch for corn silage) silo-to-silo variation was the largest source of variability. Weather conditions systematically explained a proportion of the farm-to-farm variability for both forages at harvest and feed-out. We concluded that because of the high farm-to-farm variation, corn silage and haylage must be sampled on individual farms. We also concluded that due to the high silo-to-silo variability, and the still significant day-to-day and field-to-field variability within-farm, corn silage and haylage should be sampled within individual silos to better capture changes in forage components at feed-out.
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