Research Article

Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage

Volume: 15 Number: 4 October 26, 2026
EN TR

Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of packing density (500, 650, and 800 g/L fresh weight) and a homofermentative microbial inoculant (containing Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium; 0 or 500 mg/kg) on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize (Zea mays L.) silage. A completely randomised design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was used, with each of the six treatment combinations replicated four times (n = 24). Forage harvested at the ½ milk line stage was ensiled in 2-L glass jar silos and stored for 42 days. Packing density had no significant effect on silage pH, physical quality scores (colour, odour, structure), or any chemical or nutritive value parameter (P > 0.05). However, inoculant application significantly reduced organic matter, starch, and non-structural carbohydrate concentrations, while increasing ash, neutral detergent fibre, and hemicellulose contents (P < 0.05). Lower estimated dry matter intake, relative feed value, and metabolizable energy values were observed in inoculant-treated silage (P < 0.05), whereas digestible dry matter, total digestible nutrients, and net energy for lactation were unaffected. Significant interactions between packing density and inoculant application were observed for organic matter and ash, with the greatest differences occurring at the lowest packing density (500 g/L). These findings indicate that, the fermentation and nutritive characteristics of maize silage were governed primarily by inoculant application rather than packing density and suggest that homofermentative inoculants should be applied with consideration of substrate characteristics rather than as a routine practice.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

No live animal experiments were conducted in this study, and ethical approval was not required because the research involved only laboratory-based analyses of silage material

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Animal Feeding, Animal Nutrition

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 26, 2026

Submission Date

July 21, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 4

APA
Er, M., & Akçay, H. (2026). Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636
AMA
1.Er M, Akçay H. Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15(4). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636
Chicago
Er, Murat, and Hulusi Akçay. 2026. “Effects of Packing Density and Homofermentative Microbial Inoculant on the Physical Quality, Chemical Composition, and Estimated Nutritive Value of Maize Silage”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 (4). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636.
EndNote
Er M, Akçay H (October 1, 2026) Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 4
IEEE
[1]M. Er and H. Akçay, “Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage”, Animal Health, Prod and Hyg, vol. 15, no. 4, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636.
ISNAD
Er, Murat - Akçay, Hulusi. “Effects of Packing Density and Homofermentative Microbial Inoculant on the Physical Quality, Chemical Composition, and Estimated Nutritive Value of Maize Silage”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15/4 (October 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636.
JAMA
1.Er M, Akçay H. Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15. doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636.
MLA
Er, Murat, and Hulusi Akçay. “Effects of Packing Density and Homofermentative Microbial Inoculant on the Physical Quality, Chemical Composition, and Estimated Nutritive Value of Maize Silage”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, vol. 15, no. 4, Oct. 2026, doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636.
Vancouver
1.Murat Er, Hulusi Akçay. Effects of packing density and homofermentative microbial inoculant on the physical quality, chemical composition, and estimated nutritive value of maize silage. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026 Oct. 1;15(4). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.2000636