The effects of stage of growth and additives with or without cellulase on fermentation andin vitrodegradation characteristics ofLeymus chinensissilage

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of different combinations of added lactic acid bacteria and cellulase applied at two growth stages on chemical composition and in vitro rumen digestibility of Leymus chinensis silage. Fresh grass was harvested at early heading stage (S1) and late heading stage (S2), respectively, and ensiled with five additives: 200 U cellulase (C) kg−1 fresh matter (FM), 1 × 105 colony‐forming units (cfu) Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) g−1 FM, 1 × 105 cfu Lb. casei (LC) g−1 FM, LP+C, LC+C and a control (CK). Four replicates of each treatment were weighed into 5‐L plastic buckets, and the mini silos were stored at ambient temperature (~30°C) for 60 d. Leymus chinensis harvested at S2 showed relatively higher neutral detergent fibre content, coliform bacteria count and lower crude protein content than S1. All additives decreased the pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) content of L. chinensis silage (P < 0·001) except C. LP+C and LC+C decreased fibre content and increased water‐soluble carbohydrate content (P < 0·001). The silages were further anaerobically incubated in vitro at 39°C for 48 h with buffered rumen fluids of lactating cows. Leymus chinensis harvested at S2 showed lower in vitro dry‐matter disappearance, NH3‐N, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) content and higher average gas production rate (P < 0·05) than S1. In conclusion, Leymus chinensis should not be harvested too late. Compared with other treatments, a combination of Lb. casei (LC) with cellulase resulted in better fermented silage, but further testing is needed to confirm its efficacy.

Effects of different additives on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Leymus chinensis silage

“…Generally, 1 × 10 5 cfu g −1 LAB and 60–70 g kg −1 DM WSC in the material are required for successful ensiling (Smith, ; Weinberg, ). In line with our previous studies (Zhang, Yu et al., ; Zhang et al., ), a relatively low WSC content and LAB count in L. chinensis were observed in the present study. The WSC content was 43.9 g kg −1 DM, and the LAB count was lower than 1 × 10 5 cfu g −1 , which is unfavourable for a successful fermentation.…”

“…Silages were sampled and chemical; microbial compositions were analysed according to Zhang, Yu, Yang, and Na () and Zhang et al. ().…”

Silage preparation and fermentation quality of kudzu, sugarcane top and their mixture treated with lactic acid bacteria, molasses and cellulase

“…Both positive and no effect results have been reported when attempting to improve silage quality with cellulase (Sheperd & Kung 1996;Zhang et al 2015). Both positive and no effect results have been reported when attempting to improve silage quality with cellulase (Sheperd & Kung 1996;Zhang et al 2015).…”

“…Sheperd and Kung (1996) reported that cellulase has no effect on fermentation acids or nitrogenous compounds in silage at any maturation level, regardless of dose. Zhang et al (2015) reported that a cellulase additive decreases pH and ammonia-N content of Chinese Leymus silage. Zhang et al (2015) reported that a cellulase additive decreases pH and ammonia-N content of Chinese Leymus silage.…”

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum ‘KR107070’ and a propionic acid‐based preservative on the fermentation characteristics, nutritive value and aerobic stability of alfalfa‐corn mixed silage ensiled with four ratios

“…Then the filtrate was centrifuged at 20 000 g for 10 min and reserved for fermentation acids and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH 3 -N) analyses. Lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), PA and butyric acid (BA) were determined according to Zhang et al (2016b). NH 3 -N was determined by the phenol-hypochlorite colorimetric method according to Broderick and Kandg (1980).…”