NOVEL USE OF BACTERIA FROM PICKLE FERMENTATION AS A SILAGE ADDITIVE .1. PH AND MICROBIAL ANALYSIS

Effects of silage inoculants were evaluated during approximately 60 d of fermentation in five trials with corn or grass-legume forage ensile d in silos with 4 to 6 kg of capacity. In three trials using grass-leg ume forage (16 to 37% DM), addition of lactic acid bacteria, alone or in combination with enzymes, increased the number of lactic acid bacte ria. Treatments resulted in lower pH than that of the control silage i n two of three trials. Enzyme addition alone did not increase the numb er of lactic acid bacteria or result in lower pH than in the control. In two trials with corn forage (19 and 30% DM), lactic acid bacteria w ere not increased by addition of lactic acid bacteria alone or in comb ination with enzymes. The resulting pH was reduced in one of two trial s when lactic acid bacteria or lactic acid was added.