• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1913-1922
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• 2018

Objective: To find out ways of improving fermentation quality of silage, the comparative analysis of fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility of tropical grasses silage applied with cellulases produced from Acremonium or Tricoderma species were studied in Thailand. Methods: Fresh and wilted Guinea grass and Napier grass silages were prepared with cellulases from Acremonium (AC) or Trichoderma (TC) at 0.0025%, 0.005%, and 0.01% on a fresh matter (FM), and their fermentation quality, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were analyzed. Results: All silages of fresh Napier grass were good quality with lower pH, butyric acid, and ammonia nitrogen, but higher lactic acid content than wilted Napier grass and Guinea grass silage. Silages treated with AC 0.01% had the best result in terms of fermentation quality. They also had higher in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility at 6 and 48 h after incubation than other silages. Silages treated with lower levels at 0.005% or 0.0025% of AC and all levels of TC did not improve silage fermentation. Conclusion: The AC could improve silage fermentation and in vitro degradation of Guinea grass and Napier grass silages, and the suitable addition ration is 0.01% (73.5 U) of FM for tropical silage preparation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2000

The quality of the rice straw silage added with apple pomace was investigated in this study and the amount of apple pomace added in different treatments were 0, 20, 40 and 60%, respectively. Crude protein contents (6.4-7.5%) of rice straw silage added with apple pomace were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of 100%. rice straw silage (5.3%), however, crude ash contents were lower (P<0.05) in supplementation of apple pomace. The trends of changing chemical composition between raw materials and end products of silages particularly in the contents of crude protein and crude ash were more apparent in the silages added with apple pomace by 40-60%. Values of pH and the contents of lactic acid and total acid in 40-60% apple pomace added silages were 3.9-4.1, 1.0- 1.5% and 2.7-4.5%, respectively which were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of 4.6, 0.02% and 0.34% in 100% rice straw silage, respectively. In situ dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) disappearance rates in the rumen in the treatments of 40- 60% apple pomace added silages were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of 100% rice straw silage particularly since after 3 and 24 hour incubation on DM and NDF disappearance, respectively. Although quickly degraded fraction (a) among the treatments were not significantly different, 28.4-28.5% of slowly degraded fraction (b) and 27.2-27.4% of effective degradability (ED, k=0.08) for DM were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of 100% rice straw silage (12.5 and 24.6% respectively). NDF was in the same trend as in DM. 31.6-63.2% of NDF for b fraction and 18.7- 19.4% for ED in 40-60% apple pomace added silages were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of 100% rice straw silage (12.4 and 17.6% respectively). (Key words : Rice straw silage, Apple pomace, Lactic acid, In situ digestibility, Effective degradability)

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1149-1155
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• 2020

Silage is one of the main feed components of ruminants around the world and can make up about 50-80% of the rations of dairy cows during the winter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) aqueous and ethanol extracts to improve the hygienic quality of perennial ryegrass, red clover and blue alfalfa silage samples and estimate their effect on mycotoxins concentrations. Under laboratory conditions, 63 silage samples (21 perennial ryegrass, 21 blue alfalfa, 21 red clover) were fermented with inserted aqueous and ethanol extracts of oregano and thyme and two commercial inoculants with mesophilic lactic acid bacteria. After 96 days of fermentation, in silage samples were established fermentation parameters, microbiological status and mycotoxins concentrations. It was determined that the best results for achieving hygienic quality of perennial ryegrass and red clover silage samples was by insertion of aqueous and ethanol extracts of oregano and thyme. In blue alfalfa samples, the best results of silage hygienic indicators were determined by inserting aqueous and ethanol extracts of oregano. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and T-2 toxin concentrations in perennial ryegrass, red clover and blue alfalfa silage samples were best reduced by inserting aqueous and ethanol extracts of oregano and thyme. The present study shows that these extracts can be used to improve silage hygienic quality, reduce mycotoxins concentrations and thus ensure the wellness of cattle.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.383-388
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of hairy vetch supplementation on quality of winter crop silage. There were 4 treatments (addition levels of hairy vetch ; 0, 5, 15, and 30%) with 3 replicates. Experimental silages stored for 40 days at room temperature ($20-25^{\circ}C$). THe silage crude protein level was improved (P<0.05) while hairy vetch supplementation increased. However, no difference was found (P>0.05) in crude fat, NDF and ADF of the silage while hairy vetch supplementation increased. The silage pH was increased (P<0.05) but lactic acid level was decreased (P<0.05) while hairy vetch supplementation increased. Nonetheless, acetic and butyric acids concentrations were increased (P<0.05) while hairy vetch supplementation increased. Sucrose, glucose and fructose levels were increased (P<0.05) while hairy vetch supplementation increased. Although negative effects were detected in whole crop barley silage while hairy vetch supplementation increased, optimum level of hairy vetch supplementation could be overwhelmed its negative effects on whole crop barley silage. Thus, the results of present study suggested that 15% hairy vetch supplementation of whole crop barley silage would be beneficial its quality maintenance compared to whole crop barley silage per se.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1294-1299
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• 2002

The study aimed to evaluate the influence of molasses in ensiling cassava and Gliricidia tops, common crop residues in the farming systems of Vietnam. Four levels of sugarcane molasses: 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg per tonne of fresh material, and two storage periods (2 and 4 months) for each of the two plant species: Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) and Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium, Jacq.) were allocated in a 4${\times}$2 factorial completely randomized block design with 3 replicates. A total of 48 plastic bags, each one containing 10 kg herbage were used. Based on the colour, smell and mold appearance, all the silages were considered to be acceptable but with more spoiled silages with higher levels of additives. DM of herbages (25.8% and 22.4% in cassava and Gliricidia tops, respectively) were not changed during ensiling and the molasses additive had no significant effect on the silage DM. Contents of CP and NDF in the cassava tops silage decreased significantly with increased level of molasses and storage period, respectively. The mean pH values of non-molasses silages were 4.39 in cassava tops and 4.60 in Gliricidia tops. Increased additive levels significantly reduced silage pH in Gliricidia (p<0.01) but not in cassava tops silage (p=0.10). Longer storage period significantly reduced pH in both silages. The water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations of cassava tops and Gliricidia tops were reduced by 90 and 80%, respectively, after ensiling. Molasses addition increased significantly the silage WSC concentrations. HCN contents in the fresh cassava and Gliricidia tops were reduced by 68 and 43%, respectively, after 2 months ensiling, and were continuously reduced during storage. A reduction of 25% and 42% in the tannin content of fresh cassava and Gliricidia tops, respectively was found after ensiling. Storage time and molasses additive had little affect on the tannin content. Silage lactic acid concentrations were around 1,0% of DM in cassava and 1.7% of DM in Gliricidia top silages, and no effect of molasses additive and storage time was found. It is concluded that cassava and Gliricidia tops residues can be preserved successfully by ensiling, and only low levels of molasses additive are needed to improve silage fermentation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2013

This study estimated the fermentation characteristics and nutrient value of corn-lablab bean mixture silages relative to corn silages. The effects of feeding corn-lablab bean mixture silages on nutrient apparent digestibility and milk production of dairy cows in northern China were also investigated. Three ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used to determine the ruminal digestion kinetics and ruminal nutrient degradability of corn silage and corn-lablab bean mixture silages. Sixty lactating Holstein cows were randomly divided into two groups of 30 cows each. Two diets were formulated with a 59:41 forage: concentrate ratio. Corn silage and corn-lablab bean mixture silages constituted 39.3% of the forage in each diet, with Chinese wildrye hay constituting the remaining 60.7%. Corn-lablab bean mixture silages had higher lactic acid, acetic acid, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, Ca, ether extract concentrations and ruminal nutrient degradability than monoculture corn silage (p<0.05). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations of corn-lablab bean mixture silages were lower than those of corn silage (p<0.05). The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF for cows fed corn-lablab bean mixture silages was higher than for those fed corn silage (p<0.05). Feeding corn-lablab bean mixture silages increased milk yield and milk protein of dairy cows when compared with feeding corn silage (p<0.05). The economic benefit for cow fed corn-lablab bean mixture silages was 8.43 yuan/day/cow higher than that for that fed corn silage. In conclusion, corn-lablab bean mixture improved the fermentation characteristics and nutrient value of silage compared with monoculture corn. In this study, feeding corn-lablab bean mixture silages increased milk yield, milk protein and nutrient apparent digestibility of dairy cows compared with corn silage in northern China.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 1993

First crop of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was harvested, wilted and ensiled with or without NaOH or $NH_3$, and fed to three rumen fistulated goats in a $3{\times}3$ Latin-square design. Each alkali treatment (2.44% of alfalfa dry matter) was made by spraying its solution prior to ensiling. Silage pH, $NH_3-N$ and butyric acid concentration were increased with each alkali addition, and NaOH-treated silage showed the lowest chemical quality. Compared with untreated silage, digestibilities of organic matter, ADF and cellulose were depressed by both alkali treatments, and the reductions in NaOH-treated silage were significant. Crude protein digestibility was also significantly decreased in NaOH-treated silage, but the goats receiving the silage excreted less nitrogen in urine than those on the other two silages. Nitrogen retention of goats was not different among the treatments. Ruminal solubility and potential degradability of dry matter and nitrogen determined with the in situ bag technique were reduced, and rate of degradation of the two components were increased by the NaOH treatment. Addition of $NH_3$ provided ruminal soluble nitrogen to the silage, but the rate of degradation was similar to that of untreated silage. These results suggest that NaOH treatment would denature the protein and reduce the susceptibility to microbial degradation in the rumen, while no positive effect of alkali treatment on fiber digestion and nitrogen utilization was observed in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.522-528
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• 2018

Objective: This study evaluated inclusion of buckwheat silage to the diet of growing lambs in terms of meat quality as compared to maize silage. Methods: Buckwheat, rich in total phenols (TP, 33 g/kg dry matter [DM]), was harvested at the end of the milk stage and ensiled in 40 kg plastic bags after wilting (294 g/kg silage DM). A total of 18 growing lambs ($21.6{\pm}1.2$) were individually fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic total mixed rations (TMR) for 75 d that either contained buckwheat or maize silage at DM proportions of 0.50. At the end of feeding trail all lambs were slaughtered to assess carcass characteristics and meat quality. Results: Buckwheat silage increased (p<0.01) the DM intake of lambs as compared to maize silage, but had no effects (p>0.05) on live weight gain and feed efficiency. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, meat pH, water holding capacity, cooking loss, shear force ($kg/cm^2$), and total viable bacteria count of meat did not differ (p>0.05) between the treatments. However, TP content of meat increased (p<0.001) by feeding buckwheat TMR. Feeding buckwheat TMR also decreased (p<0.05) the b* values of meat. Conclusion: The results provide that buckwheat silage is palatable and could successfully include TMR of growing lambs with no adverse effects on performance, carcass and meat quality. Additionally, feeding buckwheat silage to lambs offers increased TP in meat.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 2014

The aim of present study was to improve the quality of silage using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and chlorella as a supplement. Italian ryegrass (IRG) mediated silage was prepared with lactic acid bacteria (L. plantarum) and different concentration of chlorella. We analyzed the nutritional profiles such as crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrient (TDN) and in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), microbial counts and fermentative acids such as lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid in the control and experimental silage after three months. It shows increased crude protein content and also maintains the rest of nutritional values as compared with control silage. LAB inoculation with chlorella as supplementation slightly reduced the pH of the silage. In addition, it increased the fermentative acids production as compared with control silage and inhibits the undesired microbial growth especially fungi in the silage. Therefore, we suggest that LAB inoculation and chlorella supplementation to the IRG mediated silage could be improved the nutritional quality of the silage which is an intrinsic feature for the application in the preparation of animal feeds and functional foods.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2015

An experiment was carried out to determine the homofermentative activity of Lactobacillus plantarum KCC-10 and KCC-19 on the ensiling of whole crop barley (WCB). The crude protein in the silages was slightly higher in the KCC-10 and KCC-19 treatments compared to the control, but there was no significant difference between the two inoculant-treated silages. Nutrient parameters such as acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and in vitro dry matter digestibility in L. plantarum KCC-10 and KCC-19 treated silages did not differ from those in the control silage. The lactic acid content increased in KCC-10 and KCC-19 treated silage when compared with the control silage but the contents of acetic acid and butyric acid produced in KCC-10 and KCC-19 treated silages were similar with the control silage. Further, the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in KCC-10 treated silage demonstrated a significant increase when compared to the control. Especially, KCC-19 treated silage showed greater lactic acid bacterial growth potential. Other microbes such as yeast and fungi were not detected in KCC-10 and KCC-19 treated WCB silages. Hence, this study suggests that the addition of L. Plantarum KCC-10 and KCC-19 to the WCB silage can improve fermentation quality for the production of high-quality silage.