Abstract
This study aimed to examine the impacts of Lentilactobacillus buchneri (LB), Amomum villosum essential oil (AVEO), and vanillic acid (VA) on the fermentation traits, aerobic stability, and microbial community composition of ensiled triticale samples throughout the duration of air exposure. The chopped triticale was thoroughly blended, and the mixture was subjected to the following experimental treatments: CK, purified water at 1 mL kg(-1) fresh weight (FW); AVEO, application at 1 mL kg(-1) FW; LB, application at 1 × 10(6) CFU/g FW; and VA, application at 1 mL kg(-1) FW. During the aerobic exposure phase, the dry matter and starch contents of the additive groups were greater, and the neutral detergent fiber content was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), particularly in the AVEO treatment group. The pH value, lactic acid concentration, and aerobic stability were also greater (P < 0.05) in the AVEO treatment group than in the other treatment groups. Compared with the control silage, the additive groups presented greater Bacillus and Lactiplantibacillus abundances, whereas the additive groups presented lower Sphingomonas and Stenotrophomonas abundances. The AVEO-treated silage had greater Lactiplantibacillus and Bacillus abundances and lower Sphingomonas and Stenotrophomonas abundances. Compared with the control silage, the additive groups presented greater Rhizopus abundances, while the additive groups presented lower Monascus and Cladosporium abundances. The AVEO-treated silage had more Rhizopus and fewer Monascus and Cladosporium abundances. The use of AVEO in triticale silages resulted in increased aerobic stability, while also reducing the presence of harmful microbial communities.IMPORTANCEThe utilization of ensiling for the preservation of forage has been demonstrated to be an effective and environmentally sustainable approach. Nevertheless, ensiled samples will inevitably come into contact with air during use or under unfavorable circumstances, leading to aerobic deterioration. AVEO helped maintain a high relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus and Bacillus after aerobic exposure, suggesting that AVEO acts as an enrichment agent for Lactiplantibacillus and Bacillus in triticale silage. The AVEO treatment group also had a greater relative abundance of Rhizopus, resulting in the continuous generation of LA under aerobic conditions. This led to the maintenance of an acidic environment, inhibition of fungal proliferation, and delay in aerobic deterioration. These findings demonstrate that AVEO has the ability to positively impact the microbial community of triticale silage and thus improve fermentation quality and aerobic stability. This study provides a scientific foundation for producing triticale silages of superior quality.