Inoculation of Lactobacillus parafarraginis enhances silage quality, microbial community structure, and metabolic profiles in hybrid Pennisetum.

Background: This study investigated the effects of inoculating Lactobacillus parafarraginis alone or in combination with citric acid on the silage quality, microbial community structure, and metabolic characteristics of hybrid Pennisetum. The experiment included three treatments: (1) addition of 10 ml distilled water (CON); (2) addition of 1 × 10 cfu/g L. parafarraginis (LP); (3) addition of 1 × 10 cfu/g L.

Ensiling hybrid with lactic acid bacteria or organic acids improved the fermentation quality and bacterial community.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different additives on nutritional quality, fermentation variables and microbial diversity of hybrid silages. A control (CK - no additives) and seven treatments were tested, namely, (LP), (LB), propionic acid (PA), calcium propionate (CAP), LP + LB; LP + PA and LP + CAP. In comparison with CK, all treatments increased the contents of crude protein and lactic acid, decreased the content of butyric acid, and altered the bacterial communities of the silage.

Combined analyses of transcriptome and metabolome reveal the mechanism of exogenous strigolactone regulating the response of elephant grass to drought stress.

Elephant grass is widely used in feed production and ecological restoration because of its huge biomass and low occurrence of diseases and insect pets. However, drought seriously affects growth and development of this grass. Strigolactone (SL), a small molecular phytohormone, reportedly participates in improving resilience to cope with arid environment.