The effects of inoculation, addition of glucose and mincing on fermentation and proteolysis in ryegrass ensiled in laboratory silos

Ryegrass (153 g dry matter (DM) kg^-1; 180 g water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) kg^-1 DM) was ensiled directly, and after inoculation with a commercial product containing Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici to provide 10⁴, 10⁶ or 10⁸ organisms g^-1. The effects of mincing and of adding glucose (20 g kg^-1) were also investigated. Inoculation with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria stimulated a more efficient fermentation, rapid acidification and the production of silages with higher lactate and lower acetate contents than uninoculated silages: there was some reduction in proteolysis and a considerable decrease in deamination. There was no advantage in exceeding 10⁶ organisms g^-1, but the 10⁴ level was insufficient. There was no advantage in ensiling minced rather than chopped material, except that proteolysis was reduced. The addition of glucose did not have a beneficial effect in this experiment.