Effects of crop species on indigenous microflora and of silage additives on the microbial succession during the ensiling process

This study considered the effects of crop species (alfalfa vs. corn) and silage additives on six categories of indigenous microorganisms (those naturally occurring on the crop) important to silage fermentation, and on the microbial succession during the ensiling process. The numbers of streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and molds, lactate-using yeasts, and carbohydrate- fermenting clostridial spores were higher on corn than on alfalfa. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) comprised less than 2% of the total microbial populations on both crops. Alfalfa treated with Biomate® inoculant and the combination of dextrose and Biomate showed higher LAB counts than the control and dextrose treatments at 1 day post-ensiling. Adding dextrose accelerated multiplication of LAB in the ensiled alfalfa. Adding 1174® inoculant to corn silages did not affect the microbial succession during the ensiling process. Development of Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and molds, lactate-using yeasts, and clostridia on either crop during ensiling was not influenced by the additives

Geochemical Interactions of Hazardous Wastes with Geological Formations in Deep-Well Systems

Office of Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Cooperative Agreement CR 813-147-01HWRIC Project Number 86015NTIS PB89-19716

Evaluation of inoculant-treated corn silages

Whole-plant corn silages treated with either Pioneer 1174® or Biotal® inoculants were preserved more efficiently than control silages. They had slightly higher dry matter (DM) recoveries; more lactic acid; higher lactic to acetic acid ratios; and less acetic acid, ethanol, and ammonia-nitrogen. Laboratory silo results showed that both inoculated silages produced lactic acid faster than control silages during the first 7 days and had more desirable fermentation profiles at the end of 90 days. Applying 5 or 10 times the recommended rate of Biotal inoculant had only a small and nonsignificant effect on rate and efficiency of fermentation. Yearling steers fed the two inoculated corn silages gained numerically but not significantly faster and more efficiently than steers fed control silages, so inoculated silages produced about 6.1 lb more steer gain per ton of crop ensiled than controls