Maja Fijałkowska1, Sebastian Wojciech Przemieniecki2, Cezary Purwin1, Krzysztof Lipiński1, Tomasz Paweł Kurowski2, Anna Karwowska3,4. 1. Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland. 2. Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland. 3. Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Production, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland. 4. Centre for Bioeconomy and Renewable Energies, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Appropriate combinations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains should be selected to optimize the ensiling process, and the additives should be adjusted to the ensiled forage crops. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inoculation with three Lactobacillus species on the chemical parameters and microbiological quality (beneficial and harmful microbiota) of grass silage. RESULTS: Three species: L. paracasei (LPa), L. brevis (LB) and L. plantarum (LPl), isolated from sugar beet silage and characterized based on 16S rDNA sequences and biochemical parameters, were analyzed in the study. Single strains and their combinations were used as silage inoculants. The basic chemical and microbiological (qPCR) parameters of silages were determined. Based on the results of agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) and principal component analysis (PCA) it was determined that silages inoculated with single LAB strains and LPa + LB and commercial additive (0+) were the best quality ones, particularly with regard to microbiological parameters and they effectively lowered the pH value. A consortium of three Lactobacillus species had no influence on silage quality, whereas LPa + LB and LPl + LB combinations as well as a commercial additive exerted positive effects. Inoculation inhibited the growth of toxin-producing fungi. CONCLUSION: Only the appropriate LAB composition can improve the quality of the ensiled material (antagonistic relationship). Only the LPa + LB combination was able to improve the value of low dry silage; nevertheless, almost all combinations were able to reduced concentrations of toxin-producing fungi.
BACKGROUND: Appropriate combinations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains should be selected to optimize the ensiling process, and the additives should be adjusted to the ensiled forage crops. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inoculation with three Lactobacillus species on the chemical parameters and microbiological quality (beneficial and harmful microbiota) of grass silage. RESULTS: Three species: L. paracasei (LPa), L. brevis (LB) and L. plantarum (LPl), isolated from sugar beet silage and characterized based on 16S rDNA sequences and biochemical parameters, were analyzed in the study. Single strains and their combinations were used as silage inoculants. The basic chemical and microbiological (qPCR) parameters of silages were determined. Based on the results of agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) and principal component analysis (PCA) it was determined that silages inoculated with single LAB strains and LPa + LB and commercial additive (0+) were the best quality ones, particularly with regard to microbiological parameters and they effectively lowered the pH value. A consortium of three Lactobacillus species had no influence on silage quality, whereas LPa + LB and LPl + LB combinations as well as a commercial additive exerted positive effects. Inoculation inhibited the growth of toxin-producing fungi. CONCLUSION: Only the appropriate LAB composition can improve the quality of the ensiled material (antagonistic relationship). Only the LPa + LB combination was able to improve the value of low dry silage; nevertheless, almost all combinations were able to reduced concentrations of toxin-producing fungi.