Effect of microbial additive on some in vitro fermentation parameters of rainfed planted barley silage

Abstract

Introduction: This experiment was aimed to study the effect of bacterial inoculant on some in vitro fermentation parameters and quality characteristics of barley silage.
Materials & Methods: Prosage bacterial inoculant (a mixture of Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium and Propionibacterium acidophilus) was added at three (0, 5, and 10 mg/kg of silage dry matter) levels to barley silages. Silage quality traits including dry matter (DM), pH and buffering capacity were measured and fleig point was calculated. In vitro gas production potential, gas production rate and lag time were measured. Furthermore, total protozoa population and N-ammonia concentration of experimental silages were measured and metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids and organic matter digestibility were estimated.
Result: Results showed that buffering capacity, fleig point and pH of experimental silages were not affected by bacterial inoculant (P>0.05), however, barley silage containing 5 mg bacterial inoculant had greater dry matter content (30.24 vs 28.07 and 28.67 %, P<0.05) compared with the control and silage containing 10 mg of bacterial inoculant. Furthermore, bacterial additive had no effect on gas production parameters and total protozoa population, N-ammonia concentration, estimated metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids and in vitro organic matter digestibility (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the current experiment, use of bacterial additive for the preparation of barley silage is not recommended due to its costs.