Meta-analysis of effects of inoculation with Lactobacillus buchneri, with or without other bacteria, on silage fermentation, aerobic stability, and performance of dairy cows

Abstract

A meta-analysis of 158 peer-reviewed articles was conducted to examine effects of inoculation with Lactobacillus buchneri (LB)-based inoculants (LBB) that did or did not include homolactic or obligate heterolactic bacteria on silage fermentation and aerobic stability. A complementary meta-analysis of 12 articles examined LBB inoculation effects on dairy cow performance. Raw mean differences between inoculant and control treatment means weighted by inverse variance were compared with a hierarchical effects model that included robust variance estimation. Meta-regression and subgrouping analysis were used to identify effects of covariates including forage type, application rate (≤10 4 , 10 5 , 10 6 , or ≥ 10 7 cfu/g as fed), bacteria type (LB vs. LB plus other bacteria), enzyme inclusion, ensiling duration, and silo type (laboratory or farm scale). Inoculation with LBB increased acetate (62%), 1, 2 propanediol (364%) and propionate (30%) concentration and aerobic stability (73.8%) and reduced lactate concentration (7.2%), yeast counts (7-fold) and mold counts (3-fold). Feeding inoculated silage did not affect milk yield, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency in lactating dairy cows. However, forage type, inoculant composition, and dose effects on silage quality measures were evident. Inoculation with LBB increased aerobic stability of all silages except tropical grasses. Adding obligate homolactic or facultative heterolactic bacteria to LB prevented the small increase in DM losses caused by LB alone. The 10 5 and 10 6 cfu/g rates were most effective at minimizing DM losses while aerobic stability was only increased with 10 5 ,10 6 , and ≥ 10 7 cfu/g rates. Inoculation with LBB increased acetate concentration, reduced yeast counts and improved aerobic stability but did not improve dairy cow performance.

Effect of Various Strains of Lactobacillus buchneri on the Fermentation Quality and Aerobic Stability of Corn Silage

“…Although there are a range of inoculants based on L. buchneri available on the market, recent studies testing different strains as silage inoculants on a variety of forages in tropical regions are still inconsistent [10][11][12]. Indeed, in a recent meta-analysis, Arriola et al [13] concluded that silage inoculation with L. buchneri increased aerobic stability of all silages except tropical grasses. Thus, more research is needed on the use of new microorganisms, especially those isolated under tropical conditions with antimicrobial activity that may result in significant effects on fermentation parameters and aerobic deterioration, and, consequently, improvements in silage quality.…”

Changes in the taxonomic and functional structures of microbial communities during vegetable waste mixed silage fermentation

“…Consistent with this, inoculation of L. plantarum enhanced the LA production and decreased the pH rapidly in the early stage of ensiling. A recent meta-analysis concluded that inoculation with L. buchneri increased the concentration of acetate, reduced yeast counts and improved aerobic stability (Arriola et al 2021). However, the effects of LAB inoculation on ensiling different raw materials are not necessarily similar.…”

Impact of native spray‐dried lactic acid bacteria, packing density and wilting time on fermentation characteristics of experimental maize and lucerne silages

“…Though dual purpose inoculants are attractive (Arriola et al, 2021), there is significant variation in microbial efficiency even within the same plant material. In the present study, maize and lucerne silages were selected due to their importance for the local economy.…”