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10 pages, 483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Applying Lactic Acid Bacteria and Molasses on the Fermentation Quality, Protein Fractions and In Vitro Digestibility of Baled Alfalfa Silage

by Yixiao Xie, Jinze Bao, Wenqi Li, Zhiqiang Sun, Run Gao, Zhe Wu and Zhu Yu

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010091 - 06 Jan 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2267

Abstract

Alfalfa sometimes cannot be harvested in time due to the rainy season. To improve the fermentation quality, protein quality and digestibility of alfalfa silage harvested late, Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and molasses were applied in an actual production process in this study. Alfalfa harvested [...] Read more.

Alfalfa sometimes cannot be harvested in time due to the rainy season. To improve the fermentation quality, protein quality and digestibility of alfalfa silage harvested late, Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and molasses were applied in an actual production process in this study. Alfalfa harvested at the full bloom stage was ensiled with (1) distilled water (control), (2) 1 × 10⁶ colony-forming units LP/g fresh matter, (3) 15 g molasses/kg fresh matter (M) or (4) LP + M (LPM) for 55 days. Alfalfa ensiled with LP and/or molasses showed significantly lower pH and ammonia nitrogen contents than the control silage (p < 0.05). All additive treatments decreased nonprotein nitrogen contents and preserved more true protein (p < 0.05). However, molasses increased the acid detergent insoluble nitrogen content in the protein fractions (p < 0.05). The LP significantly improved the maximal cumulative gas production and the maximum gas production rate (p < 0.05) in the in vitro trial. Finally, both LP and molasses improved the neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the alfalfa silage (p < 0.05). The LP and molasses improved fermentation quality and digestibility and preserved more true protein in baled alfalfa silage harvested late in an actual production process. The LP utilized the excessive molasses and partially ameliorated its negative effects of causing higher acid detergent insoluble nitrogen content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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17 pages, 824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Various Additives on Fermentation, Aerobic Stability and Volatile Organic Compounds in Whole-Crop Rye Silage

by Horst Auerbach, Peter Theobald, Bärbel Kroschewski and Kirsten Weiss

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121873 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2558

Abstract

Whole-crop cereal silage represents an important component of ruminant diets and is used as a substrate for biogas production. Due to the scarcity of data on whole-crop rye (Secale cereale L., WCR), our study aimed to evaluate the effects of a range [...] Read more.

Whole-crop cereal silage represents an important component of ruminant diets and is used as a substrate for biogas production. Due to the scarcity of data on whole-crop rye (Secale cereale L., WCR), our study aimed to evaluate the effects of a range of biological and chemical additives of different compositions on the fermentation and aerobic stability of silage made from this species. In addition, the production of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which potentially contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, was monitored. Regardless of additive treatment, all WCR silages were well fermented as reflected by the complete absence of butyric acid. Inoculants containing Lactobacillus buchneri and chemical additives reduced dry matter (DM) losses during fermentation for 53 days (p < 0.001), which were closely related with the concentration of ethanol upon silo opening (R² = 0.88, p < 0.001). Silage treated with Lactobacillus buchneri, alone or in combination with a homofermentative strain, had the lowest yeast count (p < 0.001) and, simultaneously, the highest aerobic stability (p < 0.001). Chemical additives outperformed all other additives by largely restricting the formation of ethyl esters of lactic and acetic acids (p < 0.001). The concentration of ethanol strongly correlated with those of ethyl lactate (R² = 0.94, p < 0.001), ethyl acetate (R² = 0.85, p < 0.001), and total ethyl esters (R² = 0.94, p < 0.001). The use of a simple linear regression model exclusively based on the ethanol content proved useful to predict the concentration of total ethyl esters in WCR silage (R² = 0.93, p < 0.001). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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19 pages, 4049 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Silage of Intercropping Corn, Palisade Grass, and Pigeon Pea Increases Protein Content and Reduces In Vitro Methane Production

by Beatriz Ligoski, Lucas Ferreira Gonçalves, Flavio Lopes Claudio, Estenio Moreira Alves, Ana Maria Krüger, Beatriz Elisa Bizzuti, Paulo de Mello Tavares Lima, Adibe Luiz Abdalla and Tiago do Prado Paim

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1784; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111784 - 13 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2926

Abstract

Legume–grass intercropping systems are a sustainable option to improve nutritional quality of animal feed and decrease livestock greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the present study evaluated yield, chemical composition and in vitro gas production of silages produced with intercropped palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha. [...] Read more.

Legume–grass intercropping systems are a sustainable option to improve nutritional quality of animal feed and decrease livestock greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the present study evaluated yield, chemical composition and in vitro gas production of silages produced with intercropped palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha.(A.Rich.) R.D.Webster), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan cv. Super N) and corn (Zea mays. L.). Forage was harvested and placed inside micro-silos, which were opened after 100 days and samples were collected for chemical composition and in vitro gas production analyses. Intercropped silage had higher crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and lignin content than corn silage. Moreover, intercropped silage decreased total gas and methane production. Therefore, intercropped silage showed potential to increase conserved feed nutritional quality and reduce methane emissions in livestock production systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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16 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Lactic Acid Bacteria as Silage Inoculants or Direct-Fed Microbials to Improve In Vitro Degradability and Reduce Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows

by Nguyen Thi Huyen, Ines Martinez and Wilbert Pellikaan

Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1482; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101482 - 27 Sep 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3377

Abstract

The current study has two objectives: (1) To determine the effect of different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains’ inoculant on silage quality of fresh ryegrass (FR) and rain-treated ryegrass (RTR), and (2) to find the optimal way (silage inoculant vs. direct-fed microbial (DFM)) [...] Read more.

The current study has two objectives: (1) To determine the effect of different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains’ inoculant on silage quality of fresh ryegrass (FR) and rain-treated ryegrass (RTR), and (2) to find the optimal way (silage inoculant vs. direct-fed microbial (DFM)) to use LAB strains in order to improve nutrient digestibility and reduce methane emission (CH₄) in ruminant production. Five LAB strains were tested, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AGR-1, L. plantarum AGR-2, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis AGR-3, L. lactis subsp. lactis AGR-4 and L. lactis subsp. lactis AGR-5. Each LAB strain was inoculated at 10⁶ cfu/g fresh weight into the FR and the RTR and ensiled for 60 days. After ensiling, the effect of LAB strains included as a DFM or silage inoculant on rumen digestibility and CH₄ production were measured using an in vitro gas production system with three separate runs. The in vitro experiment consisted of 24 treatments (2 grasses (FR and RTR) × 2 ways (inoculant or DFM) × 6 strains (5 LAB strains + 1 Control)). The results indicated that the LAB strains’ inoculant treatments reduced (p < 0.0001) the dry matter (DM) losses, the NH₃ concentration (p < 0.0001) and the pH (p = 0.0019) upon ensiling in both the FR and the RTR. The lowest values in dry matter (DM) loss and NH₃ concentration were found in the L. plantarum (AGR-2) and L. lactis (AGR-5). The in vitro CH₄ production was lower for silages inoculated with L. plantarum (AGR-1, p = 0.0054), L. lactis (AGR-4, p = 0.026), L. lactis (AGR-5, p = 0.029) and L. plantarum (AGR-2, p = 0.090), compared to the control. Methane production was lower (p = 0.0027) for LABs when used as silage inoculants, compared to being used as DFM. Lactic acid bacteria used as silage inoculants increased (p ≤ 0.0001) the in vitro DM and organic matter (OM) degradability both in the FR and the RTR, whereas LAB strains used as DFM showed no such effect. The DM and OM digestibility were highest in the L. plantarum (AGR-1, p = 0.0175). Among the five LAB strains used in the current study, L. plantarum (AGR-2) was the best candidate to improve silage quality. Our observations suggest that these LAB strains are most promising when used as silage inoculants and to be confirmed in vivo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

18 pages, 1496 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Additive Type Affects Fermentation, Aerobic Stability and Mycotoxin Formation during Air Exposure of Early-Cut Rye (Secale cereale L.) Silage

by Horst Auerbach and Peter Theobald

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1432; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091432 - 21 Sep 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2470

Abstract

Whole-crop rye harvested before maturity represents a valuable forage for silage production. Due to the scarcity of data on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability (ASTA) and the lack of information on mycotoxin formation during aeration of early-cut rye (ECR) silage after silo opening, [...] Read more.

Whole-crop rye harvested before maturity represents a valuable forage for silage production. Due to the scarcity of data on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability (ASTA) and the lack of information on mycotoxin formation during aeration of early-cut rye (ECR) silage after silo opening, we evaluated the effects of different additive types and compositions. Wilted forage was treated with various biological and chemical additives, ensiled in 1.5-L glass jars and stored for 64 days. Fermentation pattern, yeast and mould counts and ASTA were determined at silo opening. In total 34 mycotoxins were analysed in wilted forage and in silage before and after 240 h of air exposure. Chemical additives caused the lowest dry matter (DM) losses during fermentation accompanied with the lowest ethanol production and the highest water-soluble carbohydrate concentration. Aerobic deterioration, which started within two days after silo opening in silage left untreated and inoculated with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria, was prevented by the combined use of hetero- and homofermentative lactic acid bacteria and the chemical additive containing sodium nitrite, hexamethylene tetramine and potassium sorbate. Moreover, these two additives largely restricted the formation of the mycotoxin roquefortine C to < 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ DM after aeration, whereas untreated silage contained 85.2 mg kg⁻¹ DM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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16 pages, 592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Additive Type on Fermentation and Aerobic Stability and Its Interaction with Air Exposure on Silage Nutritive Value

by Horst Auerbach and Elisabet Nadeau

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091229 - 20 Aug 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2831

Abstract

As farm profitability and sustainability of animal production are largely affected by overall losses of dry matter and nutritive value of silage from field to trough, the objective of the study was to assess the effects of different additive types on fermentation, aerobic [...] Read more.

As farm profitability and sustainability of animal production are largely affected by overall losses of dry matter and nutritive value of silage from field to trough, the objective of the study was to assess the effects of different additive types on fermentation, aerobic stability (ASTA) and changes in in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) of grass and grass–clover silage exposed to air. Three trials were performed, where grass and grass–clover forages were treated with biological and chemical additives and ensiled in 1.6-L glass jars. Upon silo opening, fermentation characteristics, yeast counts and ASTA were determined as well as changes in IVOMD and ME during subsequent air exposure for up to 336 h. All silages were well preserved. The ASTA was improved by Lactobacillus buchneri-containing additives in all trials and by chemical additives in trial 3. In untreated silage, aeration reduced IVOMD and ME but variable effects of additives were observed. The nutritive value was maintained throughout aeration by all additives in trial 1, whereas in trial 3, only chemical additives were successful. A strong negative linear relationship across trials was detected between the extent of aerobic deterioration and changes in ME during air exposure (r = −0.756, p < 0.001). Silage additives improving aerobic stability have the potential to prevent the loss of nutritive value of grass and grass–clover silage during feed-out. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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Review

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 771 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Opportunities Offered by Plant Bioactive Compounds to Improve Silage Quality, Animal Health and Product Quality for Sustainable Ruminant Production: A Review

by Vincent Niderkorn and Anuraga Jayanegara

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010086 - 05 Jan 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3930

Abstract

Plant bioactive compounds (PBC) are widespread in the plant kingdom, including in forage species, but their impact on silage fermentation and ruminant use of PBC-containing silage has been under-researched. The beneficial effects of PBC include plant-protein protection against excessive degradation by tannins or [...] Read more.

Plant bioactive compounds (PBC) are widespread in the plant kingdom, including in forage species, but their impact on silage fermentation and ruminant use of PBC-containing silage has been under-researched. The beneficial effects of PBC include plant-protein protection against excessive degradation by tannins or polyphenol oxidase leading to reduced soluble nitrogen (N) and better N use efficiency by animals, reduced emissions of pollutants such as enteric methane (CH₄), improved animal health through antimicrobial, anthelmintic or antioxidant activities, and positive effects on animal product quality—especially greater increased polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content. However, there are still gaps in the research that require an interdisciplinary effort to ensure a balanced approach that co-addresses the economic, environmental and health pillars of sustainability. Here we review the potential offered by PBC to improve silage quality, nutrient use efficiency, performances and health of ruminants, and product quality. In addition, we use an example of cross-fertilization between disciplines to show that incorporating PBC-containing legume species in grass silage can provide multiple and additive effects from silage fermentation to product quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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18 pages, 367 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ensiling Total Mixed Ration for Ruminants: A Review

by Antonio Vinicius Iank Bueno, Gustavo Lazzari, Clóves Cabreira Jobim and João Luiz Pratti Daniel

Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060879 - 19 Jun 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 8770

Abstract

The interest of ensiling total mixed rations (TMR) for ruminants reemerged in the last decades. In many situations, ensiling TMR has been a sustainable alternative to efficiently handle wet byproducts in ruminant diets. An ensiled TMR typically has a markedly higher aerobic stability [...] Read more.

The interest of ensiling total mixed rations (TMR) for ruminants reemerged in the last decades. In many situations, ensiling TMR has been a sustainable alternative to efficiently handle wet byproducts in ruminant diets. An ensiled TMR typically has a markedly higher aerobic stability than its respective fresh TMR. Ensiling a TMR increases ruminal protein degradability due to proteolysis during storage. An increase of feed efficiency by ruminants fed ensiled rations have been reported, due to the improved starch digestibility in TMR silages containing cereal grains. This manuscript brings an overview of the main nutrient transformations during the ensiling of TMR and their feeding value for ruminants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Roles of Forage Silage in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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