Authors : Na Risu, Yu Zhu, Han Liying and Zhang Xiaoqing
Abstract: Two additives (bacterial inoculants and enzymes) were tested for their effects on fermentation characteristics, in vitro digestibility, mold counts and aflatoxin content of corn silages. Whole plant corn (one half milk line) was ensiled after the following treatments: untreated (CON); bacterial inoculants (B) at 105 CFU g-1 of fresh forage; Enzymes (E) at 100 U g-1 of fresh forage; mixture of bacterial inoculants and enzymes at 105 CFU g-1 and 100 U g-1 of fresh forage, respectively (B+E). All the additives influenced the lactic acid, acetic acid, ammoniacal nitrogen content and In vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD) (p<0.05). The E and B+E influenced the Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) content, In Vitro Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility (IVNDFD) and In Vitro Crude Protein Digestibility (IVCPD) (p<0.05). Aflatoxin content and mold counts for treated silage were lower than untreated silage (p<0.05) throughout the air exposure stages (0, 1, 5 and 10 days). Aflatoxin content was below the detection limit (0.01 ppb) in B treated silage after 0 day exposure to air and in B+E throughout the air exposure stages. Researchers recommend the application rates of enzymes at 100 U g-1 of fresh forage or bacterial inoculants plus enzymes at 105 CFU g-1 and 100 U g-1 of fresh forage, respectively to improve fermentation quality and aerobic stability of corn silage.
Na Risu, Yu Zhu, Han Liying and Zhang Xiaoqing, 2013. Effect of Inoculants and Enzymes on the Fermentation Characteristics, in vitro Digestibility and Aflatoxin of Corn Silage. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 876-881.