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Mixed Ensiling Increases Degradation Without Altering Attached Microbiota Through In Situ Ruminal Incubation
Xuanxuan Pu1,2,3, Min Zhang4, Jianjun Zhang4
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|July 29, 2025
Summary
Mixed silage enhances rape straw degradation by disrupting its fiber structure, leading to increased nutrient availability for ruminants. This study confirms improved ruminal digestion through mixed ensiling techniques.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Ruminant Nutrition
- Forage Quality
Background:
- Rape straw has limited ruminal degradability due to its fibrous structure.
- Mixed silage techniques may improve the nutritional value of fibrous crop residues.
- In vivo validation of mixed silage effects on rape straw degradation is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the degradation kinetics and bacterial colonization of mixed silage using an in situ ruminal incubation technique.
- To compare the effects of mixed silage (rape straw and whole crop corn) versus control silage (rape straw and corn silage) on substrate degradation.
Main Methods:
- Two silage treatments: control (rape straw + corn silage) and mixed silage (rape straw + whole crop corn).
- In situ ruminal incubation in three cannulated Holstein bulls for 4 to 216 hours.
- Analysis of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) disappearance, and assessment of bacterial colonization.
Main Results:
- Mixed silage significantly reduced NDF and ADF content compared to control.
- DM disappearance increased by 15.6-16.2% in mixed silage at 120 and 216 hours.
- NDF disappearance significantly increased by 24.0-79.5% in mixed silage across incubation times.
- Mixed silage showed higher soluble (a) and potentially degradable (b) NDF fractions, and a lower undegraded NDF (μNDF) fraction.
Conclusions:
- Mixed ensiling effectively disrupts rape straw's fiber structure, enhancing its ruminal degradability.
- Increased potentially degradable fractions in mixed silage contribute to improved substrate degradation.
- The findings support the use of mixed silage to improve the utilization of rape straw in ruminant diets.
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