Effects of N Fertilization During Cultivation and Lactobacillus plantarum Inoculation at Ensiling on Chemical Composition and Bacterial Community of Mulberry Silage

Abstract

As unconventional forage source, mulberry (Morus alba L.) has been cultivated to alleviate animal feed shortages. This study aimed to investigate the effects of N fertilization during cultivation and Lactobacillus plantarum inoculation at ensiling on the chemical composition and bacterial community of mulberry silage. Mulberry was separately cultivated under two N fertilization rates (N1, 390 kg/ha/year; N2, 485 kg/ha/year) in 2016–2019, harvested on 30 April (the first-cut) and 15 June (the second-cut) in 2019, and then chopped for producing small bag silage. The silage was treated without (control) or with L. plantarum (LP, a recommended application rate of 105 cfu/g on fresh matter basis). After storage of 60 days in dark room at ambient temperature, silage was sampled for analysis of chemical and microbial compositions. Higher (P < 0.05) final pH value and acetic acid content and lower (P < 0.05) lactic acid content were found in silage of mulberry under N2 fertilization, resulting in more dry matter loss than that under N1 fertilization. Compared with control, inoculation of LP at ensiling increased (P < 0.05) lactic acid content and decreased (P < 0.05) final pH value, acetic acid and propionic acid contents of silage, by advancing the dominance of Lactobacillus and reducing the abundance of Enterococcus and Enterobacter. In particular, inoculation of LP at ensiling decreased (P < 0.05) dry matter loss and butyric acid content of first-cut silage. In conclusion, inoculation of LP at ensiling could reduce the undesirable effects from high N fertilization rate during cultivation on silage quality of mulberry harvested at different growing seasons.

Effect of different organic acid additives on the fermentation quality and bacterial community of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) silage

“…At the same time, we observed that the WSC concentration of the CK group decreased to 18.52 g.kg −1 DM on the 7th day, which may be due to the increasing consumption of WSC caused by the propagation of undesirable microorganisms in the early stage of ensiling (Li et al, 2022). Similar to our findings, a previous study (Li et al, 2021) demonstrated that inoculation with additives could retain more WSC in mulberry silage. We also discovered that the WSC concentration increased with increasing EDTA concentration, possibly because the high concentration of EDTA inhibited the activity of harmful microorganisms, decreased the utilization of WSC.…”

Effect of Amomum villosum essential oil as an additive on the chemical composition, fermentation quality, and bacterial community of paper mulberry silage

“…Compared with the CK, the additive treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased the WSC content. Similar results were obtained by Li et al (2021a), who reported that inoculation with additives increased the WSC content of mulberry silage. AVEO treatment significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the NH 3 -N content compared with that in the CK silage.…”

“…However, consistent results were reported by Sun et al (2022), who found that silage additives can increase the NDF and ADF levels in PM silage. This result might be attributed to the reduction in DM content (Li et al, 2021a). The WSC content in forage plays an essential role in the production of LA during ensiling.…”