Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures

In this study, we investigated whether epiphytic microorganisms of fresh forage affect silage quality and aerobic exposure of silage by determining the changes in chemical composition, fermentation characteristics and microbial population of two grass forages (sugarcane tops and corn stover) under a...

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Main Authors: Qi Yan, Hao Ding, Chenghuan Qin, Qichao Gu, Xin Gao, Yongqi Tan, Deshuang Wei, Yiqiang Li, Nanji Zhang, Ruizhanghui Wang, Bo Lin, Caixia Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/890
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author Qi Yan
Hao Ding
Chenghuan Qin
Qichao Gu
Xin Gao
Yongqi Tan
Deshuang Wei
Yiqiang Li
Nanji Zhang
Ruizhanghui Wang
Bo Lin
Caixia Zou
author_facet Qi Yan
Hao Ding
Chenghuan Qin
Qichao Gu
Xin Gao
Yongqi Tan
Deshuang Wei
Yiqiang Li
Nanji Zhang
Ruizhanghui Wang
Bo Lin
Caixia Zou
author_sort Qi Yan
collection DOAJ
description In this study, we investigated whether epiphytic microorganisms of fresh forage affect silage quality and aerobic exposure of silage by determining the changes in chemical composition, fermentation characteristics and microbial population of two grass forages (sugarcane tops and corn stover) under aerobic exposure treatments (fresh, end-of-storage and aerobic exposure periods). There were nine replicates for each of the two forage silages. The total silage time was 60 days, after which the cellar was opened for a 12-day period for aerobic exposure measurements. At the end of ensiling, the lactic acid content of corn stover silage (116.78 g/kg DM) was significantly higher than that of sugarcane top silage (16.07 g/kg DM; <i>p</i> < 0.01), and the corn stover (3.53) had a significantly lower pH than sugarcane tops (4.46) (<i>p</i> < 0.01). <i>Weissella</i> was the most abundant epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in sugarcane tops and corn stover (19.08% and 11.15%, respectively). The relative abundance of epiphytic <i>Pediococcus</i> was higher in sugarcane tops (0.17%) than in corn stover (0.09%; <i>p</i> < 0.05). The relative abundance of <i>Pediococcus</i> was significantly higher in sugarcane top silage (2.24%) than in corn stover silage during the aerobic exposure period (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The acetic acid content of corn stover silage was significantly reduced during aerobic exposure (<i>p</i> < 0.01) due to the abundance of <i>Paenibacillus</i> (62.38%). The fungal genus <i>Candida</i> affected the aerobic exposure of sugarcane top (37.88%) and corn stover silage (73.52%). In summary, <i>Weissella</i> was the genus of lactic acid bacteria present in the highest abundance in sugarcane tops and corn stover, favoring early and rapid acidification. In addition, <i>Candiada</i>, which consumes organic acids in large numbers, was the fungal genus that influenced the aerobic exposure of sugarcane top silage versus corn stover silage.
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spelling doaj-art-712edae274ea497eb57a4ff6df86098d2025-08-20T02:17:14ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-04-0115889010.3390/agriculture15080890Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass PasturesQi Yan0Hao Ding1Chenghuan Qin2Qichao Gu3Xin Gao4Yongqi Tan5Deshuang Wei6Yiqiang Li7Nanji Zhang8Ruizhanghui Wang9Bo Lin10Caixia Zou11College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaIn this study, we investigated whether epiphytic microorganisms of fresh forage affect silage quality and aerobic exposure of silage by determining the changes in chemical composition, fermentation characteristics and microbial population of two grass forages (sugarcane tops and corn stover) under aerobic exposure treatments (fresh, end-of-storage and aerobic exposure periods). There were nine replicates for each of the two forage silages. The total silage time was 60 days, after which the cellar was opened for a 12-day period for aerobic exposure measurements. At the end of ensiling, the lactic acid content of corn stover silage (116.78 g/kg DM) was significantly higher than that of sugarcane top silage (16.07 g/kg DM; <i>p</i> < 0.01), and the corn stover (3.53) had a significantly lower pH than sugarcane tops (4.46) (<i>p</i> < 0.01). <i>Weissella</i> was the most abundant epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in sugarcane tops and corn stover (19.08% and 11.15%, respectively). The relative abundance of epiphytic <i>Pediococcus</i> was higher in sugarcane tops (0.17%) than in corn stover (0.09%; <i>p</i> < 0.05). The relative abundance of <i>Pediococcus</i> was significantly higher in sugarcane top silage (2.24%) than in corn stover silage during the aerobic exposure period (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The acetic acid content of corn stover silage was significantly reduced during aerobic exposure (<i>p</i> < 0.01) due to the abundance of <i>Paenibacillus</i> (62.38%). The fungal genus <i>Candida</i> affected the aerobic exposure of sugarcane top (37.88%) and corn stover silage (73.52%). In summary, <i>Weissella</i> was the genus of lactic acid bacteria present in the highest abundance in sugarcane tops and corn stover, favoring early and rapid acidification. In addition, <i>Candiada</i>, which consumes organic acids in large numbers, was the fungal genus that influenced the aerobic exposure of sugarcane top silage versus corn stover silage.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/890plant by-productsensilingmicrobiotabacteriafungiaerobic exposure
spellingShingle Qi Yan
Hao Ding
Chenghuan Qin
Qichao Gu
Xin Gao
Yongqi Tan
Deshuang Wei
Yiqiang Li
Nanji Zhang
Ruizhanghui Wang
Bo Lin
Caixia Zou
Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures
Agriculture
plant by-products
ensiling
microbiota
bacteria
fungi
aerobic exposure
title Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures
title_full Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures
title_fullStr Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures
title_short Influence of Epiphytic Microorganisms on Silage Quality and Aerobic Exposure Characteristics of Grass Pastures
title_sort influence of epiphytic microorganisms on silage quality and aerobic exposure characteristics of grass pastures
topic plant by-products
ensiling
microbiota
bacteria
fungi
aerobic exposure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/890
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