Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum , Limosilactobacillus fermentum , and Propionic Acid on the Fermentation Process Of Sugarcane Tops Silages Along with Variations in pH, Yeast and Mould Count After Aerobic Exposure

Purpose The research aimed to assess and compare the effect of bacterial inoculants, chemical additive and their combinations on the fermentation process of sugarcane tops silages along with variations in pH, yeast and mould count after aerobic exposure. Methods In harvest season, sugarcane tops were collected from local farmer fields (27.80% DM). The treatments were, control (no additive), LP ( Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ), LF ( Limosilactobacillus fermentum ), PA (Propionic acid), a combination of LP + LF, PA + LP, PA + LF, and PA + LP + LF. After 30 days of ensiling, silage fermentation parameters and pH, yeast and mould were accessed after aerobic exposure. Results The treatment with additives reduced pH (P < 0.05) and increased lactic acid, acetic acid and dry matter recovery significantly (p < 0.05). In the PA + LP + LF treatment, the oxalate content substantially reduced by 51.36% after ensiling (p < 0.05). NDF content reduced in all treatments as compared with control (p < 0.05). LAB count was higher in PA + LF treatment (8.58 log10 CFU/g) (p < 0.05). Yeast and Mould counts were lower in treatments PA + LP + LF and PA, 2.22 and 3.01 (log10 CFU/g) respectively (p < 0.05). Among the treatments, combinations of PA + LP + LF and PA + LF were the most effective to improve the fermentation quality of silage and the combination of PA + LF has shown more potential to reduce the yeast and moulds after aerobic exposure. Conclusion The additives were effective to improve the fermentation quality and reduced oxalates content of the sugarcane tops silage. As the exposure time increased the pH values and the yeast-moulds count remained more stable in silage treated with bacterial inoculants and chemical additive which reduced aerobic spoilage in sugarcane tops silage. Graphical abstract