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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2017
In Iran, maize silage is used in dairy cattle farm as a forage source and harvested as a second crop, so has a high moisture (about 800 g/kg). If used as silage, it is susceptible nutrient loss as effluent, and clostridium bacteria growth so that a poor quality silage results. In order to improve the ensiling process, biological additives have been developed. These additives reduce the dependence of the ensiling process on epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The function of these inoculants is to ensure a rapid and efficient fermentation of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) into lactic acid. Most available inoculants consist of selected strains of homo-fermentative LAB, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus and Enterococcus species. Many studies have shown the advantages of LAB inoculants. The purpose of this study was to focus on the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on the fermentation characteristics and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of low dry matter (DM) maize silages.