The Effects of Bacterial Inoculants and/or Enzymes on the Fermentation, Aerobic Stability and in vitro Dry and Organic Matter Digestibility Characteristics of Triticale Silages

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of lactic acid bacteria inoculant, enzymes and lactic acid bacteria inoculant-enzymes mixture on the fermentation, cell wall content, aerobic stability and in vitro dry and organic matter digestibility characteristics of triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack) silages. Triticale was harvested at the milk stage of maturity. Pioneer -1188 (Iowa, USA), enzyme (Global Nutritech, TR) and Sil-All (Alltech, UK) were used as lactic acid bacteria, enzyme and lactic acid bacteria+enzyme mixture inoculants. Inoculants were applied to silages at 6.00 log10 cfu/g levels. After treatment, the chopped triticale was ensiled in 1.0 liter special anaerobic jars, equipped with a lid enabling gas release only. Three jars from each group were sampled for chemical and microbiological analysis on days 2, 5, 8 and 45 after ensiling. At the end of the ensiling period (45(th) day) all silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test for 5 days. In addition, in vitro dry and organic matter digestibility of these silages were determined. Both inoculants and enzymes increased characteristics of fermentation but impaired aerobic stability of triticale silages. Enzymes and lactic acid bacteria+enzymes mixture inoculant decreased neutral detergent fibre content and increased in vitro dry and organic matter digestibility of silages.