Laboratory evaluation of an inoculant for ensiling whole crop maize in South Africa

Effects of an inoculant (Bonsilage mais Flussig, BMF) and an additive (molasses) for ensiling whole crop maize were determined in 1.5 l jars under laboratory conditions. Jars were opened on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 45 and 90 of ensiling for sampling and analysis of pH, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactic acid and dry matter (DM). The aerobic stability of silage was determined on days 45 and 90 of ensiling. The DM and the pH values from the freshly chopped maize were high (400 g/kg DM and pH > 5). Treatments decreased (P<0.05) pH but only molasses increased (P<0.05) WSC concentrations. Addition of BMF caused higher (P<0.05) lactic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations, while butyric acid and CO2 were lower (P<0.05). Molasses addition increased (P<0.05) lactic acid concentrations and decreased CO2 compared to the control silage. The BMF treated silage was aerobically more stable than the other silages as indicated by lower CO2 production and dramatically higher concentrations of acetic acid.