Submit to Agriculture Review for Agriculture Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 10020

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Siran Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
Interests: silage; fermentation; lactic acid bacteria; ensiling; microbial community; fermented feed
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Junfeng Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Ensiling and Processing of Grass, College of Agro-Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Interests: silage; ensiling; agricultural by-product utilization; forage preparation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Silage is a high-quality animal feed obtained through desirable bacteria fermentation under anaerobic conditions. It is rich in nutrition, with good palatability, high digestibility, and long-term storage. Silage production, otherwise known as ensiling, is a very complex process of microbial activity and biochemical changes, and it is one of the most important ways to preserve crop straws or forage biomasses. Animals that feed on silage can effectively improve the availability of animal protein and reduce methane emissions. There are a lot of silage resources available on the Earth. However, the utilization rate is low, leading to a massive waste of resources and severe environmental pollution. On the other hand, with the rapid development of animal production, there is a considerable shortage of animal roughage yearly. With this in mind, it is essential to investigate silage preparation, processing and efficient utilization.

Based on the first volume, a Special Issue focused on the application of silage and animal feed in farm animal production, we decided to continue with a second volume, researching topics that may include but are not limited to the following: silage preparation, processing and efficient utilization in improving silage quality and animal performance. Research articles will cover a broad range of silage from forages and other roughage resources. All types of articles, such as original research, opinions, and reviews, are welcome.

Dr. Siran Wang
Dr. Junfeng Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

silage
ensiling
lactic acid bacteria
bacterial community
fermentation
forage

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization in Agriculture (12 articles)

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 716 KB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Cornmeal and Wheat Bran Improves Fermentation Profile and Nutritional Value of Elephant Grass Silage

by Ewerton Cavalcante Massena, Victor Cerqueira Leite, Jéssica da Silva Batista, Wanessa Pereira Totó, Roberta de Rossi Oliveira de Souza, Hitalo Rodrigues da Silva, Luis Carlos Vinhas Ítavo, Gelson dos Santos Difante, Antônio Leandro Chaves Gurgel, Patricio Pérez Meléndez and Vanessa Zirondi Longhini

Agriculture 2026, 16(8), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16080881 - 16 Apr 2026

Viewed by 462

Abstract

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a tropical forage with high biomass yield, making it suitable for silage production. However, its low dry matter (DM) at the recommended harvest stage may lead to fermentation problems and increased gas and effluent losses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of different additives on the fermentative profile and nutritional value of elephant grass silage. The experimental design was completely randomized, with eight replicates. The treatments were elephant grass without additives (control), elephant grass with cornmeal, and elephant grass with wheat bran. Elephant grass was harvested at 22.47% DM, and additives were included at 12% of fresh matter (FM). After 150 days of fermentation, DM recovery index (DMRI), gas and effluent losses, buffering capacity, ammonia nitrogen, and nutritional value were evaluated and lactic acid concentration was estimated. Including cornmeal or wheat bran in silage reduces the pH from 5.55 to 4.22. Wheat bran led to higher DMRI and lower gas losses. Both additives increased DM from 20.32% to 28.04% (cornmeal) and 27.94% (wheat bran). In addition, the use of additives reduced effluent losses (56.54 kg/t of FM) and ammonia nitrogen (mean 1.65% of total N) and increased lactic acid (mean 13.47 mg/g DM). Cornmeal produced the highest in vitro DM digestibility (ivDMd), followed by wheat bran and control. Including 12% of additives in elephant grass silage was effective in absorbing moisture, reducing fermentative losses, and improving the nutritional value. Despite the improved fermentative process with the addition of wheat bran and corn meal, future studies should evaluate these silages in animals to assess their effects on productive performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 5158 KB

Open AccessArticle

Isolation of Cellulose-Degrading Bacteria from Cenchrus fungigraminus and Their Effects on Silage Quality

by Xiaxin Huang, Yihong Xie, Feng Tan, Ziting Wang, Zhijie Zhang, Rui Yue, Fuke Hako, Zhanxi Lin and Dongmei Lin

Agriculture 2026, 16(5), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16050611 - 6 Mar 2026

Viewed by 482

Abstract

Cenchrus fungigraminus is a high-yielding forage material, but due to its relatively high lignin content and low carbohydrate content, its current feed utilization primarily relies on silage methods. However, current research on C. fungigraminus silage faces challenges such as unclear fermentation strains and low fiber degradation efficiency of traditional commercial starters, which prevent them from meeting the requirements for C. fungigraminus silage production. So, this study aimed to evaluate the fiber degradation effects of Bacillus velezensis JC2 (isolated from C. fungigraminus), the commercial cellulose-degrading bacterium Bacillus velezensis (CBV), and Trichoderma longibrachiatum (CTL) on C. fungigraminus. The degradation performance of JC2 was assessed based on the lignocellulose content of silage samples, scanning electron microscopy observations, crystallinity, and changes in chemical bonds and functional groups. Furthermore, the three strains exhibiting the highest activities of CMCase, FPase, and β-glucosidase during the screening process were combined with enzyme preparations to develop a specialized silage additive suitable for C. fungigraminus. The results indicate that: (1) Compared to commercial cellulose-degrading strains, after 14 days of fermentation with JC2 treatment, the lignin in C. fungigraminus was effectively degraded. (2) The silage feed of C. fungigraminus treated with a mixture of JC2, JC3, and JC28 showed significant improvements in sensory evaluation, lactic acid content, and cellulose degradation rate. The pH value decreased rapidly (<4.2), while the LA content and the LA/AA ratio increased, and the NDF content decreased by 4.2% DM, effectively enhancing the quality of the silage feed. In summary, the Bacillus velezensis JC2 selected in this experiment effectively degraded the fiber structure of C. fungigraminus, improved the quality of the silage, and enhanced its nutritional value, demonstrating significant potential as a specialized silage additive for C. fungigraminus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 901 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Inoculant Types on the Fermentation Characteristics of Silages from Various Forage Crops

by Jonas Jatkauskas, Anouk Lanckriet, Marianna Gentilini and Vilma Vrotniakiene

Agriculture 2026, 16(5), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16050583 - 3 Mar 2026

Viewed by 535

Abstract

Silage additives formulated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly applied to enhance fermentation efficiency and aerobic stability. However, comparative evaluations across different forage species are still scarce. This in vitro experiment assessed the influence of eleven commercial silage inoculants containing various combinations of homo- and heterofermentative LAB on fermentation dynamics, nutrient conservation, and aerobic stability of medium-wilted alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and red clover/perennial ryegrass silages. Experimental silages were prepared in 3 L laboratory silos and stored for 90 days. All inoculated treatments exhibited significantly lower pH values at both 3 and 90 days of ensiling compared with the untreated control (p < 0.05). LAB application increased the concentration of total fermentation acids and lactic acid in all forage types, although responses varied depending on inoculant composition. Inoculants containing Lentilactobacilllus buchneri produced the greatest acetic acid concentrations and resulted in a marked enhancement of aerobic stability. Compared with the control, silage inoculation significantly decreased dry matter losses by 35–64% and ammonia-N proportion by 20–37%, leading to an additional dry matter recovery of 1.29–2.87%. Control silages showed the lowest aerobic stability (97.2 h), while inoculated silages ranged from 126.0 to 200.4 h, with the extent of improvement differing among forage species and LAB formulations. In conclusion, commercial silage inoculants incorporating diverse LAB strains effectively improve fermentation quality, limit nutrient degradation, and enhance aerobic stability of legume and grass silages under controlled experimental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 913 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimisation of Whole-Plant Corn Silage Harvesting Methods Based on Silage Quality in Northeast China: Interaction of Latitude, Harvesting Time, and Stubble Height

by He Wang, Long Zhang, Xiangyu Wang, Zhihao Zhang, Xue Han, Xuepeng Wang, Songze Li, Zhe Sun, Tao Wang, Yuguo Zhen and Xuefeng Zhang

Agriculture 2026, 16(4), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16040484 - 22 Feb 2026

Viewed by 508

Abstract

Factors such as latitude, harvesting stage, and stubble height influence silage quality and harvesting decisions. We aimed to examine how harvest stage and stubble height affect the quality of whole-plant corn silage across different latitudes in Northeast China. Experiments were conducted in five different latitude regions (Shenyang, Changchun, Tongliao, Harbin, and Qiqihar) and assessed three stubble heights (20, 40, and 60 cm) at each harvest maturity stage: milk, initial wax, middle wax, late wax, and full maturity. After fermentation, whole-plant corn silage samples were collected and evaluated for nutritional content, fermentation quality, and toxin levels. Increasing the stubble height increased the dry matter (DM), crude protein, starch, and deoxynivalenol content in the whole-plant corn silage (p < 0.01), but decreased the acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre concentrations (p < 0.01). Delayed harvest increased the DM and vomitoxin content (p < 0.01). The pH decreased initially and then increased as the harvest was delayed (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, NH₃–N and acetic acid content did not differ significantly with delayed harvesting (p > 0.05). At higher latitudes, the optimal harvest period is correspondingly delayed, shortening the harvest time. To maintain silage quality without affecting yield or economics, a 40 cm stubble height is recommended. If delayed, incrementally increasing the stubble height to 60 cm may be warranted to maintain silage quality. We provide data-driven insights to optimise silage production and ruminant nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

20 pages, 1331 KB

Open AccessArticle

Contained Ensiling of High-Lipid Perennial Ryegrass: Fermentation Quality, Fatty Acid Retention, and Storage Stability

by Somrutai Winichayakul, Ashley Prentice, Philip Anderson, Tracey Crowther, Hong Xue, Xiuying Zou, Michele Reid, Kim A. Richardson, Dorothy Maher, Richard W. Scott, Luke J. Cooney, Arjan Jonker, Jakob Kleinmans and Nicholas J. Roberts

Agriculture 2026, 16(3), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16030358 - 2 Feb 2026

Viewed by 579

Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) forage crops engineered to accumulate elevated levels of lipids offer potential benefits for ruminant nutrition and greenhouse gas mitigation. However, robust and reproducible workflows for producing, harvesting, and preserving GM forage biomass under containment remain a critical bottleneck, particularly where regulatory constraints preclude field-scale evaluation. Here, we describe a controlled-environment workflow for the repeated cultivation, harvesting, and ensiling of GM high-metabolizable-energy (HME) perennial ryegrass and corresponding null controls. Plants were grown under greenhouse containment, subjected to multiple regrowth cycles, and harvested biomass was wilted and ensiled using small-scale laboratory silos. Silage fermentation characteristics, total lipid content, and fatty acid (FA) composition were assessed following short- and long-term storage. Over 16 months, approximately 130 kg dry matter (DM) of each genotype was produced across multiple harvests and ensiling batches. Seasonal variation strongly influenced herbage composition, with water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations 4–5-fold higher in spring–summer than autumn–winter. Following ensiling, HME silage consistently retained elevated FA content compared with null controls (4.85% vs. 2.75% DM) and higher gross energy (18.1 vs. 17.5 MJ kg⁻¹ DM). FA profiling indicated that major FA classes in HME were preserved across storage durations. After 342 days of storage, HME silage maintained 76% higher FA content, 4% greater DM digestibility, and 0.3–0.8 MJ kg⁻¹ DM higher metabolizable energy. Both genotypes exhibited good fermentation quality, with pH consistently below 4.1 and adequate lactic acid production. This study does not evaluate animal performance or methane mitigation outcomes but establishes a practical and reproducible methodology for generating characterized GM silage material under containment suitable for subsequent in vivo studies, addressing a key translational gap between GM forage development and animal-based evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 640 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Bacterial Inoculants and Ground Corn Grain on Fermentation Profile and In Situ Rumen Degradability of Tropical Grass Silage

by Luciano Saraiva dos Santos, Alex Lopes da Silva, Bernardo Magalhães Martins, Kellen Ribeiro Oliveira, Jessica Marcela Vieira Pereira, Odilon Gomes Pereira, Wellington Paulo Fernandes Amorim, João Vitor Coelho Rodrigues, Poliana Teixeira Rocha Salgado, Luis Henrique Rodrigues Silva and Polyana Pizzi Rotta

Agriculture 2026, 16(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16020248 - 18 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 757

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate different doses of bacterial inoculants and the inclusion of 8% ground corn grain (GCG) on fermentative characteristics, chemical composition, and in situ ruminal degradability of low-DM elephant grass (cv. BRS Capiaçu) silage. The experiment followed a completely randomized design in a 6 × 3 factorial arrangement (six treatments × three fermentation periods). Treatments were a control without additive (CTR); 0.5 or 1 g/ton of Lentilactobacillus buchneri (LBU0.5 and LBU1); 1 or 2 g/ton of a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum + Pediococcus acidilactici inoculant (LPP1 and LPP2); and 8% GCG. After 60 d of fermentation, in situ ruminal degradability was evaluated using rumen-fistulated lactating cows with incubation times from 0 to 240 h. The GCG treatment increased DM, CP, and ether extract concentrations and reduced NDF, ADF, and lignin contents. Additionally, GCG silage exhibited lower pH, butyric acid, and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, along with higher lactic acid levels. No treatment effects were observed for water-soluble carbohydrates or total DM losses. The effective NDF degradability, degradation rate of the slowly degradable fraction, and undigested NDF after 240 h were not affected by treatments. In conclusion, the inclusion of GCG improved the fermentative profile of low-DM elephant grass silage, whereas bacterial inoculants did not significantly enhance the silage quality under the conditions evaluated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2699 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Abundance, Fermentation Pattern, and Chemical Composition of Oat Haylage Are Altered by the Forage Dehydration Method

by André Martins de Souza, Mikael Neumann, Odimari Pricila Prado Calixto, Admilton Gonçalves de Oliveira Júnior, Ellen Baldissera, Nicolli Soethe Mokochinski, Livia Alessi Ienke and Valter Harry Bumbieris Junior

Agriculture 2025, 15(19), 2056; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15192056 - 30 Sep 2025

Viewed by 808

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the aerobic stability, fermentation profile, microbiological diversity, and bromatological composition of the haylage of white oats obtained using three dehydration methods: (1) Mechanical (MEC); (2) Mechanical + Bacterial chemical compound (MEC + BCC); and (3) Chemical (CHE), where Glyphosate was used as a desiccant. The haylage made with the forage dehydrated by the mechanical method showed lower aerobic stability (69.20 h) and a higher cumulative temperature from 0 to 84 h and from 0 to 168 h (12.73 °C and 25.91 °C, respectively). The haylage made with Glyphosate-desiccated forage had higher concentrations of acetic acid (3.96 g kg⁻¹) and isobutyric acid (0.78 g kg⁻¹). The microbiological diversity and richness did not differ among the haylages produced. However, the relative abundance of the genera Pantoea and Lactobacillus was higher in the haylage made with Glyphosate-desiccated forage. The bacterial chemical compound guaranteed a haylage with lower lignin content (31.97 g kg⁻¹), lower acid detergent nitrogen (7.54 g kg⁻¹), and higher hemicellulose (211.72 g kg⁻¹). The haylage made from dehydrated forage by the Mechanical + Bacterial Chemical Compound methods presented a better fermentation pattern and had lower fermentation losses, and its bromatological quality was superior to the others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2207 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fermentation Regulation: Revealing Bacterial Community Structure, Symbiotic Networks to Function and Pathogenic Risk in Corn Stover Silage

by Zhumei Du, Shaojuan Cui, Yifan Chen, Yunhua Zhang, Siran Wang and Xuebing Yan

Agriculture 2025, 15(16), 1791; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15161791 - 21 Aug 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1262

Abstract

Improving agricultural by-product utilization can alleviate tropical feed shortages. This study used corn stover (CS, Zea mays L.) at the maturity stage as the material, with four silage treatments: control, lactic acid bacteria (LAB, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum), cellulase (AC, Acremonium cellulolyticus), and LAB+AC. After 60 days fermentation in plastic drum silos, the silos were opened for sampling. PacBio single-molecule real-time sequencing technology was used to study bacterial community structure, symbiotic network functionality, and pathogenic risk to clarify CS fermentation regulatory mechanisms. The CS contained 59.9% neutral detergent fiber and 7.1% crude protein. Additive-treated silages showed better quality than the control: higher lactic acid (1.64–1.83% dry matter, DM), lower pH (3.62–3.82), and reduced ammonia nitrogen (0.54–0.81% DM). Before ensiling, the CS was dominated by Gram-negative Rhizobium larrymoorei (16.30% of the total bacterial community). Functional prediction indicated that the microbial metabolism activity in diverse environments was strong, and the proportion of potential pathogens was relatively high (14.69%). After ensiling, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as Gram-positive bacteria were the dominant species in all the silages (58.39–84.34% of the total bacterial community). Microbial additives facilitated the establishment of a symbiotic microbial network, where Lactiplantibacillus occupied a dominant position (p < 0.01). In addition, functional predictions showed an increase in the activity of the starch and sucrose metabolism and a decrease in the proportion of potential pathogens (0.61–1.95%). Among them, the synergistic effect of LAB and AC inoculants optimized the silage effect of CS. This study confirmed that CS is a potential high-quality roughage resource, and the application of silage technology can provide a scientific basis for the efficient utilization of feed resources and the stable development of animal husbandry in the tropics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1759 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation of Agricultural Residues Corn Stover Silage

by Pilong Zhou, Guofang Wu, Xuan Luo, Yuhong Ma, Kaiwen Guan, Huili Pang, Zhongfang Tan, Shiyan Zhang and Lei Wang

Agriculture 2025, 15(13), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131362 - 25 Jun 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1975

Abstract

As a typical agricultural waste, the resource utilization of corn stover (CS) plays a crucial role in the coordinated optimization of ecological and economic benefits. In order to enhance the utilization of CS resources, Lentilactobacillus (L.) buchneri (LB) and different proportions of Artemisia argyi (AA) were added to CS to investigate the impact of additives on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of corn stover silage (CSS). This study revealed that the separate addition of AA or LB in CS effectively improved the silage quality and aerobic stability. Specifically, LB exhibited the lowest pH value of 3.72 at 90 d of fermentation, while the NH₃-N content was 0.07 g/kg DM during the anaerobic fermentation stage and 0.19 g/kg DM during the aerobic exposure stage (p < 0.05). Mixing 30% AA increased the lactic acid content, lowered the pH, maintained a higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus, and reduced mycotoxin levels. In terms of aerobic stability, all AA-treated groups demonstrated superior performance compared to the LB treatment. Additionally, it was observed, that in the 30% AA group, Candida exhibited the highest relative abundance. Importantly, the addition of AA upregulated carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism during the ensiling process, and their relative abundances remained high during aerobic exposure. Fully utilizing CS resources as feed to provide fiber and nutrients for ruminants can not only reduce the pressure on forage demand but meet the development needs of “grain-saving” animal husbandry, which is conducive to solving the contradictions of “human–animal competition for food” and “human animal competition for land”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2050 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures

by Qi Yan, Hao Ding, Chenghuan Qin, Qichao Gu, Xin Gao, Yongqi Tan, Deshuang Wei, Yiqiang Li, Nanji Zhang, Ruizhanghui Wang, Bo Lin and Caixia Zou

Agriculture 2025, 15(8), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15080890 - 19 Apr 2025

Viewed by 1256

Abstract

In this study, we investigated whether epiphytic microorganisms of fresh forage affect silage quality and aerobic exposure of silage by determining the changes in chemical composition, fermentation characteristics and microbial population of two grass forages (sugarcane tops and corn stover) under aerobic exposure treatments (fresh, end-of-storage and aerobic exposure periods). There were nine replicates for each of the two forage silages. The total silage time was 60 days, after which the cellar was opened for a 12-day period for aerobic exposure measurements. At the end of ensiling, the lactic acid content of corn stover silage (116.78 g/kg DM) was significantly higher than that of sugarcane top silage (16.07 g/kg DM; p < 0.01), and the corn stover (3.53) had a significantly lower pH than sugarcane tops (4.46) (p < 0.01). Weissella was the most abundant epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in sugarcane tops and corn stover (19.08% and 11.15%, respectively). The relative abundance of epiphytic Pediococcus was higher in sugarcane tops (0.17%) than in corn stover (0.09%; p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Pediococcus was significantly higher in sugarcane top silage (2.24%) than in corn stover silage during the aerobic exposure period (p < 0.01). The acetic acid content of corn stover silage was significantly reduced during aerobic exposure (p < 0.01) due to the abundance of Paenibacillus (62.38%). The fungal genus Candida affected the aerobic exposure of sugarcane top (37.88%) and corn stover silage (73.52%). In summary, Weissella was the genus of lactic acid bacteria present in the highest abundance in sugarcane tops and corn stover, favoring early and rapid acidification. In addition, Candiada, which consumes organic acids in large numbers, was the fungal genus that influenced the aerobic exposure of sugarcane top silage versus corn stover silage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Silage Preparation, Processing and Efficient Utilization—2nd Edition

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (10 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI