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Dynamic Changes in Microbial Succession and Fermentation Profiles of Sugarcane Tops Silage Treated With Exogenous Enzymes and Lactic Acid Bacteria Following Various Duration of Ensiling

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Abstract

The current study was undertaken to identify the most promising combination of the additives which reduce the ensiling duration and improve silage quality in terms of microbial succession and fermentation profiles of sugarcane tops silage. Fresh sugarcane tops were ensiled in 3-L laboratory silos in four treatment groups supplemented with enzymes (cellulase + xylanase), enzymes plus Lactobacillus plantarum (C + X + LP), enzymes plus Lactobacillus fermentum (C + X + LF) and enzymes + Lactobacillus plantarum + Lactobacillus fermentum (C + X + LP + LF) for 15, 25, 35, and 45 days. Urea (0.5%) and molasses (1.5%) were added to all treatment groups. The silages were tested for microbiological and chemical parameters after storage. Results indicated that, in the first 15 days of ensiling, higher LAB counts were observed and thereafter decreased. The highest LAB count was observed in C + X + LP + LF treatment. Among all the durations of ensiling, the yeast and moulds count was lower at day 25. NH3–N, acetic acid (AA), and butyric acid significantly increased with increasing the days of ensiling. All additives improved lactic acid concentration relative to the enzymes (C + X) treated silage. The concentration of lactic acid (LA) in all silages soared to grasp a peak at day 35 and then decreased at the end of the ensiling days. The LA: AA ratio in all silages peaked at day 25 and then decreased with increasing the duration of ensiling. Consequently, among all treatments, exogenous enzymes and LAB-treated silages (C + X + LF and C + X + LP + LF) were the best combination based on LAB count, lactic acid, yeast–mould counts, and LA:AA ratio at days 15 and 25 of ensiling. The combined effect of LAB and enzymes can reduce the ensiling period and improve silage quality.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Director, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India for all the necessary facilities during the study.

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  1. Animal Nutrition Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, Haryana, India

    Nutan Chauhan, Neelam Kumari, Deepesh Bharat Mishra, Veena Mani & Nitin Tyagi

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Chauhan, N., Kumari, N., Mishra, D.B. et al. Dynamic Changes in Microbial Succession and Fermentation Profiles of Sugarcane Tops Silage Treated With Exogenous Enzymes and Lactic Acid Bacteria Following Various Duration of Ensiling. Sugar Tech 25, 592–602 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-022-01205-4

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