Abstract
This experiment was carried out to clarify the effects of cellulase (AC), lactic acid bacteria (SL) and wilting on the fermentation quality of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L., cv. Venture). Cellulase prepared from Acremonium cellulolyticus Y-94 (AC) was added at ratios of 0.01% and 0.05% of fresh matter, and commercial lactic acid bacteria ((Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus) inoculant including cellulase (mixture of cellulase derived from a selected strain of Acremonium cellulolyticus and Trichoderma viride)) (SL) was added at a ratio of 0.05% of fresh matter. These were ensiled both with and without the addition of carbon dioxide in order to establish an anaerobic condition at the early phase of fermentation. The effect of wilting was also investigated both with and without the addition of carbon dioxide. These materials were ensiled in experimental silos at a bulk density of 600 kg/m^3. The addition of AC or SL decreased the pH values, but increased the amount of lactic and total acids, the ratio of lactic acid to total acid content, and Flieg's score of silages. The addition of AC or SL decreased the amount of propionic, butyric and vareric acids. There was no statistically significant difference concerning the ratio of volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) to total nitrogen. From these results, it is suggested that the addition of AC or SL can be helpful to improve the fermentation quality of reed canarygrass silages. However, wilting or the addition of carbon dioxide was not effective in improving the fermentation quality.
