Maize silage conservation with a mixed fermentation bioinoculant at different packing densities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab.v.28374Keywords:
Zea mays, lactic acid bacteria, aerobic stability, multivariate analysis, additivesAbstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a mixed fermentation bioinoculant on the conservation of whole-plant maize silage at different packing densities. Experimental silos were opened after 45 days to determine fermentative losses, chemical composition, dry matter degradability in vitro, and aerobic stability. A dose-response assay compared bioinoculant application rates of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 L t-1 in silages packed at 400 and 550 kg m-3. Especially at intermediate doses, the bioinoculant increased aerobic stability and reduced losses of dry matter, gases, and ammonia nitrogen, while preserving non-fiber carbohydrates and hemicellulose. In the efficiency validation, the 4 L t-1 dose was compared with a commercial inoculant under the same two packing densities. The tested bioinoculant improved aerobic stability, whereas the commercial inoculant resulted in higher dry matter degradability in vitro. The results indicate that the mixed fermentation bioinoculant enhances the conservation of maize silage under variable packing conditions and improves the stability of the material after silo opening.