Effects of New Inoculants on In vitro Digestibility and Fermentation Indices of High Moisture Rye Silage

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effect of new inoculants on in vitro digestibilityand fermentation characteristics of high moisture rye silage. Rye was harvested at heading stageand divided into 5 treatments, following: No additives(CON); L. plantarum R48-27(NI1); L. buchneri R4-26(NI2); mixture of NI1 and NI2 at 1:1 ratio(MIX); and L. buchneri(LB). The ryeforage was ensiled into 10 L bucket silo for 100 days. In vitro digestibility of dry matter andneutral detergent fiber were highest(p<0.05) in NI2 silage. The pH in NI2 and LB silages werelower(p<0.05) than CON silage. Lactate concentration was highest(p<0.05) in NI1 silage. Whileconcentrations of acetate and propionate were highest(p<0.05) in MIX silage. Lactates : acetateratio was highest(p<0.05) in NI1 silage, but lowest in LB silage. Butyrate concentrations of NI2and LB silages were lower(p<0.05) than that in CON and NI1 silages. Lactic acid bacteria(LAB) count in all inoculated silages was higher(p<0.05) than that in CON silage, while yeastcount in LB silage was lower than in CON, NI1, and MIX silages. In conclusion, applicationof NI2 inoculant could improve potentially fermentation quality and digestibility of highmoisture rye silage.