Mixed ensiling plus nitrate destroy fiber structure of rape straw, increase degradation, and reduce methanogenesis through in vitro ruminal fermentation

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2024-04, Vol.104 (6), p.3428-3436
• Main Authors: Pu, Xuanxuan, Zhang, Xiumin, Yi, Siyu, Wang, Rong, Li, Qiushuang, Zhang, Wanqian, Qu, Jiajing, Huo, Jiabin, Lin, Bo, Tan, Bie, Tan, Zhiliang, Wang, Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetic acid; Bacteria; bacterial community; Bacteroidetes; Batch culture; Biodegradation; Calcium nitrate; Carbohydrate composition; Carbohydrates; Cereal crops; Corn; Corn silage; Crops; Degradation; Dry matter; Fermentation; fiber structure; Food production; Hydrogen; Inoculation; Lactic acid; Lactic acid bacteria; Methane; methane production; Methanogenesis; Nitrates; Prevotella; Propionic acid; Rape; Relative abundance; rumen fermentation; Straw; Substrates; Vegetables
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13228

BACKGROUND Better utilization of rape straw can provide alternative strategies for sustainable ruminant and food production. The research reported here investigated changes in the carbohydrate composition of rape straw as a result of mixed ensiling with whole‐crop corn or inoculated with nitrate, and the consequent effects on ruminal fermentation through in vitro batch culture. The three treatments included: rape straw and corn silage (RSTC), and ensiling treatment of rape straw with whole‐crop corn (RSIC) or with calcium nitrate inoculation (RSICN). RESULTS Ensiling treatment of rape straw and whole‐crop corn or plus nitrate enriched lactic acid bacteria and lactate. The treatments broke the fiber surface connections of rape straw, leading to higher neutral detergent soluble (NDS) content and lower fiber content. Ensiling treatments led to greater (P