Effect of Various Treatments on Quality of Fermented Peanut Vine/Corn Stalk Silage

Varied mixing ratios of discarded peanut vines (PV) and corn stalks (CS) and/or addition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with 3% sucrose were studied in 2015 to determine their effects on the quality and storage of the resulting silage. The PV:CS ratios of 10:0, 7:3, 5:5 and 3:7 (on fresh weight basis) were applied. Three replicates for each treatment were used. In addition, samples of 3PV:7CS silage were stored in an above-ground cellar for comparison. After 60 d of fermentation, silage quality was analyzed. The results showed that (1) in the 10:0, 7:3 or 5:5 PV/CS silage, the lactic acid content increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the pH, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when LAB and sucrose were added; (2) in the 10:0 PV/CS silage with the added LAB and sucrose, the dry matters increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the propionic acid content significantly decreased (P < 0.05); (3) in the 5:5 PV/CS silage with added LAB and sucrose, the acetic acid significantly decreased (P < 0.05); (4) the 3:7 PV/CS silage could deliver acceptable quality without the addition of LAB and sucrose; (5) the 10:0 PV silage could be acceptable for applicationsby adding LAB and sucrose; (6) the baled silage appeared to be better than cellar storage for the fermentation.