Mpanza, T.D.E.; Mani, S. Effects of Vachellia mearnsii Tannin Extract as an Additive on Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, and Microbial Modulation of Maize Silage. Microorganisms2023, 11, 2767.
Mpanza, T.D.E.; Mani, S. Effects of Vachellia mearnsii Tannin Extract as an Additive on Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, and Microbial Modulation of Maize Silage. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 2767.
Mpanza, T.D.E.; Mani, S. Effects of Vachellia mearnsii Tannin Extract as an Additive on Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, and Microbial Modulation of Maize Silage. Microorganisms2023, 11, 2767.
Mpanza, T.D.E.; Mani, S. Effects of Vachellia mearnsii Tannin Extract as an Additive on Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, and Microbial Modulation of Maize Silage. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 2767.
Abstract
Maize silage is produced to alleviate forage shortage on dairy animals, particularly during the dry season. Microorganisms play a significant role in silage fermentation and thus determine the silage quality. Therefore, modulation of microorganisms in silage may help prohibit undesired bacteria and improve silage quality. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of tannin extract as an additive on fermentative quality, aerobic stability and microbial composition of maize silage. Therefore, a mini-silo experiment of maize with five treatments was conducted for 75 days. The results showed that additives modulate silage microorganisms. In addition, tannin extract reduced certain silage bacteria while promoting others. However, this is without affecting the silage’s fermentative quality and aerobic stability. All silage fermented well with a pH below 4.2. Tannin extract improved dry matter recovery of silage while reducing silage weight loss. Furthermore, tannin extract suppressed the establishment of undesired bacteria, such as genera Dysgonomonas, Gluconacetobacter and Clostridium, while promoting desirable bacteria, such as genera Lactobacillus and Weissella, which attributed to silage quality. Therefore, it is concluded that tannins can be strategically used as silage additives to modulate microbial composition of silage and improve silage quality by promoting the dominance of desirable bacteria in silage.
Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy
Copyright:
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