Improve Quality of Alfalfa Silage Ensiled with Orange Pulp and Bacterial Additive

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus buchneri (LAB) and orange pulp (OP) supplementation on chemical composition, in vitro and in situ degradability, dry matter (DM), pH and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage. Treatments were 1) alfalfa without any additive (control), 2) alfalfa + OP (70% alfalfa mixed with 30% fresh OP, LAB0), 3) treatment 2 with 1.5 g LAB/ton (LAB1), 4) treatment 2 with 3 g LAB/ton (LAB2) and 5) treatment 2 with 4.5 g LAB/ ton (LAB3). Treatments were replicated three times in laboratory mini silos for 90 d in a closed barn with a ambient temperature (15 to 18 degrees C). As a result of this study, the experimental treatments did not affect on DM of silage at the end of the ensiling period. Control treatment had the highest pH (4.5) among the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Supplementation alfalfa with OP resulted in significant increase in water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (P<0.05). Treating alfalfa silage with OP and LAB improved aerobic stabilities of treatments significantly, as compared to LAB0. Supplementation of silage with OP and bacterial inoculant increased DM digestibility. These findings indicated that LAB can improve the aerobic stability and quality of silage in laboratory silos and also, OP and LAB might improve silage quality and cause better silage management in the farm.