Microbial fermentation of silage was carried out to improve the nutritional quality of the fodder maize silage. Lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yeast) were used as silage inoculants. Their efficiency were tested individually and in combination. Application of Lactobacillus acidophilus + Lactobacillus plantarum + Lactococcus lactis + Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yeast) showed significant difference in maize silage quality. The combined application of inoculants has recorded the better nutritional parameters like crude fibre (216.50 g/kg dry matter), crude protein (17.93 g/kg dry matter), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (468.29 g/kg dry matter), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (257.30 g/kg dry matter), dry matter (DM) (292.39 g/kg dry matter) and Ash content (44.46 g/kg dry matter). The combined application of efficient lactic acid bacterial cultures helps in obtaining a good silage rich in nutrients and palatable for the acceptance by the livestock.
Lactic acid bacteria, Silage, Ensiling, Palatability, Nutrient
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