Effect of Mixing Alfalfa with Whole-Plant Corn in Different Proportions on Fermentation Characteristics and Bacterial Community of Silage

The influence of mixing alfalfa with whole-plant corn in different proportions on the fermentation characteristics and bacterial community silage was investigated. Alfalfa corn, harvested at dry matter content 276.47 328.43 g/kg fresh weight, accordingly, were chopped to approximately 2 cm mixed ratios 100:0 (C0, control), 80:20 (C20), 60:40 (C40), 40:60 (C60), 20:80 (C80) 0:100 (C100) a weight basis, respectively. Silos each treatment produced triplicate anaerobically fermented darkness for 100 days room temperature (20–21 °C). At silo opening, composition diversity analyzed. C0 weakly preserved, evidenced by low lactic acid concentration high value pH, acetic acid, propionic butyric ammonia nitrogen. With proportion mixture increasing from 0% 40%, nitrogen level decreased, whereas ratio increased. C40, C60, C80 C100 silages’ Flieg score, used evaluate overall quality, above 80 higher than (25) C20 (61) silages. contained complex genus level, consisting mainly Enterococcus (38.86%), Enterobacteria (20.61%), Rhizobium (8.45%), Lactobacillus (8.15%), Methylobacterium (5.54%) Weissella (5.24%). As percentage increased relative abundance desirable undesirable population reduced. inclusion ensiling significantly improved quality shifted better preservation. Overall, when combined least 40% basis.