Effects of natamycin and Lactobacillus buchneri on the fermentative process and aerobic stability of maize silage

The present study was aimed to evaluate the reduction in fermentative losses and the improvement of aerobic stability of maize silage treated with Lactobacillus buchneri bacteria, antifungal natamycin and a combination of L. buchneri and natamycin. The study was completely randomized using four treatments with four replicates (silo) each. The treatments were as follows: C - control (forage without additives), NA-forage with low dose of natamycin (8 glt) addition, LB - forage inoculated with low dose of L. buchneri (5 x 10(4) cfu/g) and NLB - forage treated with both natamycin (8 glt) and L. buchneri (5 x 10(4) cfu/g). The losses of dry matter (DM) and gas, effluent production, chemical composition, yeast count and aerobic stability were calculated for all treatments. During fermentation, NLB produced more propionic and lactic acids and caused less DM and gas losses than other treatments (P < 0.01). The positive effect of NLB on yeast inhibition improved the aerobic stability of maize silage (P < 0.05). Thus, the combination of low doses of natamycin and heterolactic bacteria L. buchneri can reduce fermentative losses and improve the aerobic stability of maize silage after exposure to air.