Inoculant Effects on Limpograss Silage Nutritive Value, Fermentation Characteristics, Microbiology, and in vitro Gas Production

Lay Summary

Limpograss is an important warm-season perennial grass used for cattle production in tropical and subtropical regions. Limpograss production coincides with frequent rainfall and high humidity, which hinders forage conservation via hay production due to unfavorable drying conditions. Storing excess forage as silage is an alternative, but warm-season perennial grasses often ferment poorly due to limited water-soluble carbohydrate concentration. Microbial inoculants are typically used to improve fermentation; however, responses in warm-season perennial grasses have been inconsistent. The present study evaluated the effects of adding a commercial inoculant (SiloSolve FC; Lactococcus lactis and Lentilactobacillus buchneri) on limpograss nutritive value, fermentation characteristics, microbiology, and gas production. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating this inoculant in limpograss silage. Limpograss inoculation resulted in improved fermentation, leading to greater nutrient preservation. Although the overall bacterial community was not altered, the inoculant selectively reduced the abundance of undesirable bacteria associated with poor silage fermentation. Additionally, inoculated silage tended to reduce gas and methane production compared with the control treatment. In conclusion, inoculating limpograss silage with a Lactococcus- and Lentilactobacillus-based inoculant may be a promising management practice to improve nutritive value and fermentation.