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Chemical Evaluation of Lactobacillus Addition to Alfalfa, Corn, Sorghum, and Wheat Forage at Ensiling

University of Georgia, Experiment 30212

ABSTRACT

Fifty-five kilograms of fresh forage of alfalfa, corn, sorghum, or wheat were ensiled in .21-m³ steel drums lined with plastic. Treatments included addition of dry Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida sp. at 5 g/kg fresh forage. Control and inoculated drums for each crop were opened on days 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 after filling. Samples were analyzed for pH, dry matter, proximate analysis, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and lignin. Alfalfa, corn, and sorghum silages had recoveries of at least 90% for all nutrients. There was no difference between control and inoculated silages for nutrient recoveries. Wheat silage had fermentation with high pH (5.15 control, 5.30 inoculated) and small recoveries of dy matter (80.7% control, 77.8% inoculated), crude protein (69.3% control, 71.7% inoculated), and nitrogen-free extract (63.8% control, 62.8% inoculated). Alfalfa and wheat forages were ensiled in concrete stave silos to provide material for a digestibility trial. Ensiling was on the same day that drums for the fermentation study were filled. Control and inoculated (5 g dried L. acidophilus and Candida sp./kg fresh forage) silages were prepared. Silages were fed to mature wether sheep at 2% of body weight. No difference from inoculation was significant. Data showed no advantage of addition of L. acidophilus and Candida sp. to crops at ensiling.

¹ Department of Animal Science, Georgia Station.

² Department of Food Science, Georgia Station.

³ Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.

⁴ Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M, Overton 75684.