Effects of the Application of Lactobacillus plantarum Inoculant and Potassium Sorbate on the Fermentation Quality, In Vitro Digestibility and Aerobic Stability of Total Mixed Ration Silage Based on Alfalfa Silage

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of an inoculant and a preservative on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage-based fermented total mixed ration (TMR). The TMR was ensiled with (1) no additives (control), (2) Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), or (3) potassium sorbate (PS). The V-scores of all silages were higher than 80 points during the 30 days of ensiling. The addition of LP and PS had no effects on the in vitro parameters, such as in vitro digestibility and in vitro gas production (p > 0.05). LP-treated silage showed similar fermentation quality and comparable aerobic stability to the control (110 h). The LP only decreased the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content (p < 0.05) during ensiling. The PS significantly increased the pH of TMR silages (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the addition of PS improved the aerobic stability (>162 h) of TMR silage, indicated by the higher water-soluble carbohydrate content and lower NH3-N content in comparison with those in the control after aerobic exposure (p < 0.05). The improvement in fermentation quality is extremely small in terms of applying LP in TMR silage based on a large percentage of other silage ingredients. The PS is effective in conserving unpacked TMR silage and showed the potential to reduce the risk of ruminal acidosis in livestock.

Effects of Replacing Ensiled-Alfalfa with Fresh-Alfalfa on Dynamic Fermentation Characteristics, Chemical Compositions, and Protein Fractions in Fermented Total Mixed Ration with Different Additives

“…Therefore, most farmers and companies use stretch film sealing TMR as fermented TMR (FTMR), which can effectively inhibit TMR deterioration and save nutrients for a longer period of time [ 6 ]. Compared with TMR, FTMR preparation is more efficient and less time-consuming, which can greatly economize labor and resources [ 7 ]. At the same time, FTMR can be transported over a long-distance, and can be purchased and utilized by some small-scale farms in the absence of TMR mechanical equipment [ 7 ].…”

“…Compared with TMR, FTMR preparation is more efficient and less time-consuming, which can greatly economize labor and resources [ 7 ]. At the same time, FTMR can be transported over a long-distance, and can be purchased and utilized by some small-scale farms in the absence of TMR mechanical equipment [ 7 ]. Moreover, FTMR can improve feeding levels and promote the economic development of animal husbandry [ 8 ].…”

“…However, problems may also exist for fresh-alfalfa FTMR (F-FTMR). In addition, the chemical compositions may differ [ 7 ], and extensive proteolysis may still occur during fermentation. It is necessary to evaluate the difference between F-FTMR and E-FTMR and the quality of F-FTMR after different fermenting durations.…”

Improvement of Fermentation Quality in the Fermented Total Mixed Ration with Oat Silage

“…For example, after fermentation for 56 d, Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Pediococcus acidilactici were found to be dominant in FTMR, while no dominant bacteria were found in fresh TMR [ 10 ]. Xie et al (2020) also stated that bacterial strains are crucial factors that influence the nutrient content of FTMR [ 11 ]. Regarding oat silage, it is dominated by the Lactobacillus genus complex, and Leuconostoc and Clostridium genera [ 12 ], which probably results in obvious alterations to the fermentation process.…”

A Preliminary Study on Effects of Fermented Feed Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Hanwoo Steers during the Early and Late Fattening Period

“…It has been evidenced that feedstuff has a key function in feed consumption, preservation of homeostasis of ruminant pH, minimizing the occurrence of metabolic disease, maximizing milk production enhance their lifetime, and decreasing labor input [16]. Xie et al [17] stated that the performance of TMR feed and milk production is improved compared to individual feeds. Feeding TMR is appropriate with the addition of high humidity agriculture by-products.…”