Effects of microbial inoculants on chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of alfalfa silage added with citrus pulp

Alfalfa crop (19.0% DM) was harvested at 35 days and ensiled in 32 plastic experimental silos, consisting of four treatments with or without 12% of citrus pulp: control, Sil-All (R) (S. faecium, P. acidilactici, L. plantartan, amylase, hemicellulase, and cellulase), Silobac (R) (L.plantarum, S.faecium, and Lactobacillus sp.) and Pioneer 1174 (R) (S.faecium and L.plantarum). Silos were opened 133 days after ensiling and sampled to proceed chemical analyses. Only in citrus pulp-free silage, all inoculants increased ethanol concentration; Pioneer increased pH, and Silobac decreased acetic acid concentration, compared to control. Independently of citrus pulp, all inoculants decreased DM losses; Silobac (R) and Pioneer decreased IVDDM, and Pioneer increased NH3-N. Inocuiants did not influence lactic, propionic and butyric acids concentrations and neither aerobic stability. Citrus pulp improved chemical composition and fermentation characteristics, but worsened DM losses and aerobic stability.