The effect of silage additives on quality of the mixture silages of maize and dendromass

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of biological and chemical ensilaging additives on the quality of the fermentation process and nutrient content in silages produces from a mixture of maize plants (70 % in fresh matter) and oak and spruce twigs (dendromass) as a potential feed for wild ruminants. Mixture 1 was composed of 30 % fresh twigs of forest trees (50 % oak twigs, 50 % spruce twigs). The content of dry matter in Mixture 1 was 32.9 % of fresh matter. The nutrient content reached the crude protein concentration 7.8 % of dry matter, crude fibre 22.4 %, total sugar 9.4 % and starch 19.2 % of dry matter. Mixture 2 was composed of 30 % fresh twigs of forest trees (75 % oak twigs, 25 % spruce twigs). The content of dry matter in Mixture 2 was 32.1 % of fresh matter. The nutrient content reached the crude protein concentration 7.5 % of dry matter, crude fibre 23.1 %, total sugar 9.0 % and starch 16.7 % of dry matter. The fermentation process during ensilaging was observed in one control variant without treatment and two experimental variants, in which the ensilaged matter was treated with additives: T1 (Lactobacillus buchneri DSM 13573) and T2 (22.9 % sodium benzoate, 8.3 % sodium propionate). The influence of the treatment of the silage mixture on the nutrient content of the silage was low. Chemical additive applied to the ensilaged matter of both mixtures improved the quality of the fermentation process of the produced mixture silages for wild ruminants. This was confirmed by the highest lactic acid content, lowest content of volatile fatty acids and alcohol, but also the lowest losses of dry matter in the fermentation process. Positive effect of applying the biological inoculant based on heterofermentative bacteria of lactic fermentation was determined only in Mixture 1 silage produced from dendromass compound of 50 % oak twigs and 50 % spruce twigs. Our results indicate that application of ensilaging additives is beneficial in production of maize-dendromass mixture silages for wild ruminants and it improves the fermentation process as well as the quality of the produced silages.