• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.12
• /
• pp.1727-1734
• /
• 2005

The fermentation characteristics and mono- and di-saccharides compositions during the early stage of ensiling were studied with a temperate grass, Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and a tropical grass, guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.). The laboratory silos were kept in the room set at 25$^{\circ}C$, and then were opened on 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days (14 days in Italian ryegrass) after ensiling, respectively. The Italian ryegrass silage showed a fast and large pH decrease caused by a fast and large production of lactic acid during the first 5 days of ensiling and succeeded to achieve lactic acid type fermentation; high lactic acid/acetic acid and lactic acid content at the end of ensiling (14 days), low values of pH (3.74), acetic acid, ethanol and ammonia-N/total nitrogen, none or only small amounts of Butyric acid, valeric acid and propionic acid. The guineagrass silage showed a slow decrease in pH and a slow increase in lactic acid content during the full ensiling period, causing a high final pH value, low contents of lactic acid, acetic acid, total volatile fatty acids and total organic acids. In Italian ryegrass silage, mono- and di-saccharides compositions decreased largely within the initial 0.5 day (12 h) of ensiling. Sucrose disappeared rapidly within the initial 0.5 day of ensiling, but fructose and glucose contents showed an initial rise by the activity of enzymes in plant tissues, and then decreased gradually. On the other hand, the contents of monoand di-saccharides in guineagrass showed the largest decreases due mainly to plant respiration within the initial 0.5 day of ensiling, and no initial rises in fructose and glucose contents during the early stage of ensiling because of the absence of fructans which are hydrolyzed into fructose and glucose in temperate grasses. In both silages, the rate of reduction in mono- and di-saccharides compositions within the initial 5 days of ensiling was ranked in the order of glucose>fructose>sucrose, suggesting that glucose and fructose might be more favorably utilized than sucrose by microorganisms and glucose is the first fermentation substrate. It was concluded that the silage made from Italian ryegrass with high moisture content had a good fermentation quality owing to the dominance of lactic acid bacteria and active lactic acid fermentation during the initial stage of ensiling. These results can be explained by rapid plant sap liberation and the high activity of plant enzyme hydrolyzed fructans into fructose and glucose within the initial 2 days of ensiling, which stimulate the homofermentative lactic acid bacteria growth. In ensiling a temperate grass, the physical characteristics may ensure the rapid onset of fermentation phase, which results from the smaller losses of water-soluble carbohydrates during the initial stage of ensiling and providing sufficient water-soluble carbohydrates for lactic acid bacteria. The silage made from guineagrass with intermediate dry matter and high initial mono- and di-saccharides content was stable silage. This could be explained by the higher incorporation of air during the very early stage of ensiling and the restriction of cell breakdown and juice release due to the properties of a tropical grass with coarse porosity and stemmy structures. These physical characteristics delayed the onset of lactic acid bacteria fermentation phase by extending the phases of respiration and aerobic microorganisms activity, causing the higher loss of water-soluble carbohydrates and the shortage of lactic acid bacteria fermentation substrates.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.87-100
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted in order to determine a proper level of molasses addition through the analysis of changes in appearance, nutritive and silage parameters before and after ensiling or deepstacking of broiler litter, to evaluate the effect of pelleting processed broiler litter and to develop methods to enhance palatability of broiler litter and reduce the adjustment period by ‘Hanwoo’ steers. Molasses addition was effective in ensiling and deepstacking of broiler litter and the proper addition level was about 5%. Changes in nutritive values of broiler litter by ensiling and deepstacking with or without molasses treatment were not great. Adding 5% molasses at deepstacking of broiler litter did not affect(P<0.05) in vitro digestion of dry matter and organic matter. Pelleting of broiler litter resulted in significant(P<0.05) moisture evaporation, organic matter reduction and nearly threefold increase of bulk density. Pelleting or molasses addition of broiler litter improved palatability by ‘Hanwoo’ steers and reduced the adjustment period by half(8-9 d).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2024

Understanding changes in fermentation characteristics and microbial populations of forage silage during ensiling is of interest for improving the nutrient value of the feed for ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of whole crop rice (WCR) silage during the ensiling period. The chemical compositions, pH, organic acids and bacterial communities were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after ensiling. The bacterial communities were classified at both the genus and species levels. The dry matter content of WCR silage decreased with the length of storage (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in crude protein and NDF contents. Following fermentation, the pH level of WCR silage was lower than the initial level. The lactic acid content remained at high levels for 3 to 6 months after ensiling, followed by a sharp decline at 12 months (p<0.05). Before fermentation, the WCR was dominated by Weissella (30.8%) and Pantoea (20.2%). Growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (31.4%) was observed at 3 months after ensiling. At 6 months, there was a decrease in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (10.2%) and an increase in Levilactobacillus brevis (12.8%), resulting in increased bacteria diversity until that period. The WCR silage was dominated by Lentilactobacillus buchneri (71.2%) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (27.0%) with a sharp reduction in diversity at 12 months. Overall, the WCR silage maintained satisfactory fermentation quality over a 12-month ensiling period. Furthermore, the fermentation characteristics of silage were found to be correlated to bacterial microbiome.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 1989

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of frequency of defoliation on the ensiling characteristics and nutritive value of Guineaecotype 'A' (Panicum maximum Jacq) grass. Guinea grass harvested at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-week cutting intervals was chopped (2 cm) and ensiled alone or with the addition of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) meal (w/w-fresh weight basis), for periods of 6, 7 or 8 weeks in 2-litre laboratory silos. Dry matter, water soluble carbohydrates, lactic acid, pH, ash, nitrogen and digestibility in vitro were measured in representative samples of preensiled and ensiled material. Dry matter content of silages prepared from herbage harvested at 2 and 3 weeks intervals was lower (P<0.05) compared to longer defoliation intervals. The pH of silage prepared from herbage over 8 weeks old were higher (P<0.05) than those harvested below 8 weeks. The water soluble carbohydrate content of silage prepared from 3-weekly defoliated herbage was higher (P<0.05) than those prepared from longer periods. Lengthened growth period decreased (P<0.001) the crude protein content of the ensiled material, whereas the addition of coconut meal resulted in marginal increases. In vitro organic matter digestibility of the silages decreased (P<0.05) with the increase in forage maturity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.8
• /
• pp.1273-1283
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study investigated a method of preparing corn stover for Irpex lacteus (I. lacteus) treatment to improve its in vitro rumen degradability under non-sterile conditions. Methods: Corn stover was inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), Lactobacillus buchneri (L. buchneri), and an equal mixture of these strains, and ensiled for 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. After each period, a portion of the silage was sampled to assess the silage quality, and another portion of the silage was further treated with I. lacteus at 28℃ for 28 d. All the samples were analyzed for fermentation quality, chemical composition, and in vitro gas production (IVGP) as a measure of rumen fermentation capacity. Results: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was found to improve the silage quality of the corn stover, and the corn stover silage inoculated with L. plantarum produced more lactic acid and higher IVGP than other silage groups. The I. lacteus colonies flourished in the early stage of corn stover silage, especially on the 3-d corn stover silage inoculated with both L. plantarum and L. buchneri. This led to an 18% decrease in the acid detergent lignin content, and a 49.6% increase in IVGP compared with the raw stover. Conclusion: The combination of ensiling with the mixed LAB inoculation and I. lacteus treatment provided a cost-effective method for the improvement of the IVGP of corn stover from 164.8 mL/g organic matter (OM) to 246.6 mL/g OM.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.1
• /
• pp.96-112
• /
• 2023

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a valuable annual forage crop in Korea but there is limited information about the impact of chemical and biological additives on fermentation characteristics of the crop. This experiment was conducted to investigate fermentation dynamics of wilted forage rye treated with the following six additives; control (no additive), sodium diacetate applied at 3 g/kg wilted forage weight (SDA3), 6 g/kg wilted forage weight (SDA6), inoculations (10⁶ CFU/g wilted forage) of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), L. buchneri (LB), or LP+LB. The ensiled rye sampled at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 days indicated that the acidification occurred fast within five days of storage than the rest of the storage period. The microbial inoculants decline the pH of ensiled forage, more rapidly than the control or SDA treated, which accompanied by the decrease of water-soluble carbohydrates and increase of lactic acid. Compared with the control silage, all treatments suppressed ammonia-nitrogen formation below to 35 g/kg DM throughout the sampling period. Suppression of total microbial counting occurred in SDA6, LP, and LP + LB. The lactic acid production rates were generally higher in microbial inoculation treatments. Acetic acid concentration was lowest in the LP-treated silage and highest in the SDA- and LB-treated silages. The in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and total digestible nutrients were the highest in the silage treated with SDA (6 g/kg) at day 45 of ensiling. Based on lower ammonia-nitrogen concentrations and higher feed value, ensiling forage rye treated with SDA at 6 g/kg is promising through enhanced silage quality.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.593-606
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted to develop effective manufacturing methods of a total mixed ration(TMR) composed of broiler litter(BL) and bakery by-product(BB) for ruminants. Five experiments included a small-scaled manufacture of TMR using a deepstacking method(Exp. 1), its pelletization(Exp. 2), its field-scaled manufacture(Exp. 3), a field-scaled manufacture using an ensiling method(Exp. 4), and a mixing process of deepstacked BL and BB prior to feeding(Exp. 5). BL and BB were mixed at a ratio which makes total digestible nutrients of the TMR 69%. For each experiment, temperature, appearance and physico-chemical properties were recorded and analyzed. The chemical composition data revealed that the mixture of BL and BB showed nutritionally additive balance which resulted from a considerable increase(P<0.05) of organic matter and a desirable decrease(P<0.05) of protein and fiber up to the requirement level for growing ‘Hanwoo’ steers. Deepstacking of BL and BB in Exp. 1 and 3 resulted in a sufficient increase of stack temperature for pasteurization, little chemical losses, appearance of white fungi on the surface, and partial charring due to excess stack temperature. For Exp. 2, its pelleting, which was successful using a simple, small-scaled pelletizer, resulted in a little loss(P<0.05) of organic matter and an increase(P<0.05) of indigestible protein(ADF-CP). Ensiling the mixture in Exp. 4 made little effect on chemical composition; however, one month of the ensiling period was not enough for favorable silage parameters. Deepstacking BL alone in Exp. 5 tended(P<0.1) to decrease true protein : NPN ratio and hemicellulose content and increase ADF-CP content due to the heat damage occurred. Deepstacking or ensiling of BL-BB mixtures and simple incorporating of BB into deepstacked BL prior to feeding could be practical and nutrients-preservative methods in TMR manufacture for beef cattle, although ensiling needed further hygienic evaluation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.187-198
• /
• 1997

This experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of wilting and additives on fermetation characteristics, quality and aerobic stability of silage of rye(Seca1e cereale L.) harvested at the early heading stage. Harvested rye was wilted or mixed with beet pulp and then treated with formic acid or lactic acid bacteria(LAB) inoculant. Treatments were consisted of direct cut(DC), wilted(WT), beet pulp added(BP), direct cut and formate applied(DF), wilted and formate applied(WF), beet pulp and formate applied(BF), direct cut and LAB inoculated(DL), beet pulp added and LAB inoculated(BL), and wilted and LAB inoculated(WL) silages. Afler 70 days of ensiling period, the silages were opened and exposed to air for 7 days, and the silages of opening day(0 day) were compared with the silages exposed to air for 7 days(7 day). 1. LAB inoculated rye silages(DL, WL, BL) lowered pH values effectively eom the third day of ensiling and showed most stable pattern of pH changes during the initial fermentation process. Direct cut and formate applied(DF), beet pulp and formate applied(BF) and beet pulp added(BP) silages were also effective in lowering pH from the seventh day thai direct cut treatment(DC). 2. pH was low below 3.7 in all treatments of 0 day. After 7-day period of aerobic exposure, DL and WL showed considerable increases in pH from 3.5 and 3.4 to 8.3 and 6.4, respectively. 3. Direct cut rye silages(DF, DC, DL) and beet pulp and formate treatment(BF) produced effluent of 121.2, 85.9, 80.3 and 34.2 mlkg, respectively and these were greater than others(P<0.01). Beet pulp retained 1.61 I/kg of effluent at the application rate of 50 kg/t in comparing BP with DC, and formate application increased the amount of effluent in comparing DF and BF with DC and BP, respectively(P<0.01). 4. Beet pulp and LAB treatment(B1) was highest in content of lactate as 3.1% and formate treated silages(DF, WF, BF) showed lower content of lactate and total acid than others. LAB inoculated(D1, WL, BL) and wilted (WT) silages were graded to be good quality as a second group by the Flieg's score. Formate applied silages (DF, WF, BF) were graded as a foum group lower than DC by one. 5. Residual content of WSC of rye silage was higher in BP, BF, DL and BL than direct cut treatment(M3) (P< 0.01). Formate application had a tendency to increase the content of residual content of WSC. 6. For the ratio of NH3-N to Total N, wilted and LAB inoculated(W1) and direct cut and LAB inoculated(D1) silages were lowest on 0 day as 8.9 and 9.3% respectively. But after 7-day period of aerobic exposure, WL and DL showed largest increase of the ratio of $NH_3-N$ to Total N from 0 day(P<0.01). 7. On 0 day wilted(WT), beet pulp and formate treatment(BF), and beet pulp and LAB treatment(B1) were lower than direct cut treatment(DC) for NDF and ADF concentrations consistently. Formate applied silages (DF, WF, BF) made little change in ADF and NDF concentrations during 7 day period of aerobic exposure. DL and WL showed a large increase in ADF and NDF concentrations under aerobic condition(P<0.01). 8. IVDMD values of wilted(WT), beet pulp added(BP), wilted and LAB inoculated(W1) and beet pulp added and LAB inoculated(B1) silages were higher than direct-cut treatmentPC) as 84.7, 84.7, 84.4 and 83.0%, respectively on 0 day. But during 7-day period of aerobic exposure, a great decreae in IVDMD of WL was showed(P<0.01). The experimental results indicate that wilted silage(WT) could be recommended as the most effective treatment for reducing efluent and increasing quality and feed value of rye silage without deteriorating aerobic stability more than direct cut treatment(DC). Additionally, under unfavorable weather condition beet pulp added and LAB inoculated treatment(T3L) might be the possible alternative for successful ensiling of forage rye.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.8
• /
• pp.1252-1258
• /
• 2018

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effects of cumin essential oil on the silage fermentation, aerobic stability and in vitro digestibility of alfalfa silages. Methods: Alfalfa was harvested at early bloom (5th cutting) stage in October and wilted for about 3 hours. The research was carried out at three groups which were the control group where no additive control was done (CON), cumin essential oil (CMN3) with 300 mg/kg and CMN5 with 500 mg/kg cumin essential oil addition. Alfalfa was ensiled in plastic bags. The packages were stored at $8^{\circ}C{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ under laboratory conditions. All groups were sampled for physical, chemical and microbiological analysis 120th day after ensiling. At the end of the ensiling period, all silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test for 7 days. In addition, enzimatic solubility of organic matter (ESOM), metabolizable energy (ME), and relative feed value (RFV) of these silages were determined. Results: pH level decreased in the cumin groups compared to CON (p<0.05), thus inhibiting proteolytic enzymes from breaking down proteins into ammonia. In addition, it increased ESOM amount, and concordantly provided an increase of ME contents. Similarly, dry matter intake and RFV ratio increased. After opening the silage, it kept its aerobic stability for three days. Conclusion: Cumin essential oil improved fermentation, and affected chemical and microbiological characteristics of silages. Especially the addition of 300 mg/kg cumin provided cell wall fractionation through stimulating the activities of enzymes responsible. It also increased the number and activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) through providing a development of LAB.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.176-182
• /
• 2021

Ensiling is the most preferred technology to preserve the silage quality with high nutrients by the presence of lactic acid bacteria. In this study, lactic acid bacteria RJ1 and S22 were used to make the silages from different leguminous plants such as alfalfa, hairy vetch and red clover. Experimental groups were divided into control and LAB inoculated groups. LAB inoculated group; all legumes treated with a mixture of RJ1 and S22 and made an anaerobic condition for 45d. Without the addition of LAB considered the control group. The results showed that the lactic acid content was higher in all silages in response to LAB treatment and acetic acid content was slightly increased except red clover by LAB compared to control silages. A poor silage quality marker butyric acid was reduced all legume silages in response to LAB inoculation than control silages. The organic acid is closely associated with microbial population experimental silages. We noted that higher LAB and lower yeast were found in the silage in response to LAB treatment. The contents of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total digestible nutrient (TDN) were not altered significantly between control and LAB treated silages. Overall data suggested that the inclusion of additional LAB potentially enhance the silage quality and preserved the nutrients for long period.