Dynamic Changes in Microorganisms and Metabolites During Silage Fermentation of Whole Winter Wheat

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) silage has high feeding value and has become an important roughage resource in China. To recognize the optimal fermentation time of the silage product, this study systematically evaluated the temporal dynamics of microbial communities and metabolic profiles in whole winter wheat silage at days 7, 14, 30, 50, and 70. The dry matter (DM) content slightly fluctuated with the extension of fermentation time, with 28.14% at 70 days of ensiling. The organic matter and neutral detergent fiber content gradually decreased with the extension of fermentation time. A significant decrease in pH was observed at days 30, 50, and 70 compared to days 7 and 14 (p < 0.05), with the lowest pH value of 4.4 recorded at day 70. The contents of lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acids gradually increased with the extension of fermentation time, reaching a maximum at 70 days of ensiling. The dominant bacteria were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes at the phylum level, and the predominant bacteria were Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Enterobacter, and Lactobacillus at the genus level. The relative abundance of Hafnia-Obesumbacterium and Lactobacillus fluctuated slightly with the duration of fermentation, reaching a minimum for the former and a maximum for Lactobacillus at 50 days of ensiling. By day 70, Sporolactobacillus emerged as a distinct silage biomarker. The dominant fungi was Ascomycota at the phylum level, and the predominant fungi were Fusarium and an unidentified fungus at the genus level. The correlation analysis revealed significant pH-organic acid-microbe interactions, with pH negatively correlating with organic acids but positively with specific bacteria, while organic acids showed complex microbial associations. Collectively, under natural fermentation conditions, the optimal fermentation period for wheat silage exceeds 70 days, and Sporolactobacillus shows potential as a microbial inoculant for whole winter wheat silage. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing whole winter wheat silage utilization and enhancing fermentation quality. Keywords: fermentation quality; metabolic dynamics; microbiome; organic acid; silage.