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Context: The ensiling process presents losses that are associated with the fermentative profile, resulting in lower nutritional value, and lower aerobic stability of silages. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chitosan and microbial inoculants addition in Mombasa grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silage (MGS) fermentation profile and losses, chemical composition, in situ degradation, and aerobic stability. Methods: Forty experimental silos (PVC tubing with 28-cm inner diameter and 25-cm height) were used in a randomised block (n = 5) design to evaluate the following treatments: (1) MGS without additives (control, CON); (2) MGS treated with 5.0 × 104 colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus buchneri (NCIM 40788) per gram of fresh matter (LBB); (3) MGS treated with 1.6 × 105 CFU of L. plantarum and 1.6 × 105 CFU of Pediococcus acidilactici per gram of fresh matter (LPP); and (4) MGS treated with 6 g/kg DM of chitosan (CHI). Key results: The treatments did not alter the pH, ammonia-N, butyric, and lactic acid concentrations in the silage. The use of LPP reduced the ethanol content, while CHI increased propionic and branched-chain fatty acids compared with other treatments. Fermentation losses and dry-matter recovery were not affected by treatments. Chitosan reduced the organic matter of the MGS in relation to the other treatments, without having an impact on the other variables of chemical composition. The treatments did not influence the in vitro degradation, nor the pH and temperature after aerobic exposure of the silage. Conclusions: Chitosan increases ethanol compared with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria inoculation and does not affect ammonia-N of Mombasa grass silage. In addition, chitosan and microbial inoculants have limited effects on Mombasa grass silage fermentation losses, nutritional value, and aerobic stability. Implications: Chitosan does not reduce fermentation losses or improve the nutritional value of grass silage. The ensiling process presents losses that are associated with the fermentative profile, resulting in lower nutritional value and lower aerobic stability of silages. The study evaluated the effects of adding chitosan and microbial inoculants to Mombasa grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silage. Chitosan altered some variables of the fermentation profile, but the treatments did not show a relevant effect on fermentation losses, chemical composition, and aerobic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated germination, production, and morphological composition of Urochloabrizantha intercropped with corn and sorghum; and silage fermentation losses and aerobic stability of intercrop silage using microbial inoculant. Twenty experimental parcels (5.0 × 3.6 m) were used in a blocked randomized design to evaluate four treatments obtained from a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements: I) crop material (corn vs. sorghum) and II) Brachiaria (U. brizantha) establishment (present vs. absent). Corn- and sorghum-brachiaria integrated systems showed similar brachiaria germination, forage yield, and morphological composition. There was no crop and brachiaria interaction effect on the variables related to corn and sorghum plants and the total productivity. Brachiaria decreased the stem diameter and increased the population of maize and sorghum plants. However, it did not affect systems productivity. Microbial inoculation did not affect corn silage effluent losses and reduced sorghum silage effluent losses. In corn silage, brachiaria did not affect gas losses, while in sorghum silage, brachiaria increased the gas losses. Total losses were higher in sorghum silage than in corn silage, which resulted in a lower DM recovery. The treatments did not affect the pH of the silage after aerobic exposure. However, brachiaria increased silage temperature evaluated at 32 and 40 hours after aerobic exposure. Thus, corn or sorghum consortium has similar brachiaria morphological composition and productivity. Moreover, in intercropped silage, brachiaria increases effluent losses and reduces silage aerobic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]