TY - JOUR JO - Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences J2 - J. Anim. Feed Sci. SN - 1230-1388 VL - 28 IS - 4 PY - 2019 ID - Stoškus2019 TI - The effect of mixed bacterial inoculant on the microbial population and aerobic stability of lucerne and maize balage AB - Two forages, maize ( Zea mays ) and lucerne ( Medicago sativa ), having opposite fermentability coefficient, were ensiled in big bales for 120 days without and with application of a dual purpose bacterial inoculant containing Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus buchneri at 1.5 × 10 5 cfu/g of fresh forage. The experiments were performed using the random sampling method, where each big bale was an experimental unit. The combination of each raw material and the inoculant was replicated ten times. Inoculated maize and lucerne silages had greater level of lactic acid ( P < 0.01) and acetic acid ( P < 0.01) as well as reduced pH value ( P < 0.01) than not inoculated ones. Application of bacterial inoculant decreased yeast ( P < 0.01) and mould ( P < 0.01) counts and increased lactic acid bacteria count ( P < 0.01). Inoculant had a positive effect on aerobic stability by delaying aerobic deterioration time. The inoculation of maize and lucerne was effective at improving the fermentation aerobic stability and decreasing yeast and mould growth. AU - Stoškus, R. AU - Jatkauskas, J. AU - Vrotniakiene, V. AU - Juozaitiene, V. SP - 383 EP - 391 DA - 2019 DO - 10.22358/jafs/114138/2019 UR - https://doi.org/10.22358/jafs/114138/2019 ER -