Effect of Silage Additives on the Microbial Succession and Fermentation Process of Alfalfa and Corn Silages

Abstract

Studies were conducted on the effect of additives on microbial succession and silage fermentation of two alfalfa cuttings, each harvested at three maturities, and three whole-plant com hybrids. The alfalfas were treated with dextrose at 2% (DM basis), Biomate~inoculant (Lac- tobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus cerevisiae), a combination of dextrose and Biomate~. or left untreated (control). The com hybrids were treated with 1174~inoculant (L plantarum and Enterococcus faecium) or left untreated (control). Counts of the lactobacilli, pediococci, and leuconostocs group were higher for the alfalfa silages treated with Biomate~than for the control silage and the silage treated with dextrose only at d 1 of the ensiling period. Addition of 1174 inoculant to the com silages did not influence the counts of the group that includes lactobacilli, pediococci, and leuconostocs. The numbers of other