Effects of bacteria and enzyme mixture inoculants on quality of high-moisture maize grain silage

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and enzymes mixture inoculants (Sil-All and Silaprilis) on the chemical composition and fermentation of high-moisture grain silage of two maize hybrids Zenit and ZP 735. Maize hybrids were harvested at 68-72% of dry matter. Commercial inoculants were prepared and sprayed following the manufacturer's specifications. Silages were stored in glass jars with a special valve filled with water in the middle of the lid. Significant differences between hybrids were found for ash, crude protein, pH, and acetic acid. The hybrid Zenit had significantly higher ash (14.9 g kg-1 dry matter (DM)), pH (4.03), and acetic acid (6.3 g kg-1 DM), and significantly lower crude protein (89.0 g kg-1 DM) than hybrid ZP 735 (12.5 g kg-1 DM, 3.98, 5.1 g kg-1 DM and 101.2 g kg-1 DM, respectively). Compared to control, LAB+enzymes mixture inoculants stimulated ensiling of high-moisture maize grain. Inoculants decreased the contents of ammonia nitrogen and acetic acid, and pH value, and increased the contents of dry matter, ash, crude protein, crude fat, and lactic acid during silage fermentation than control. Accordingly, the application of LAB+enzymes mixture inoculants is justified and they can be recommended for high-quality silage production in feeding livestock.