THE EFFECT OF HOMO - AND HETERO - FERMENTATIVE LACTIC ACID BACTERIA MIX ON THE ENSILED LUCERNE FERMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS AND AEROBIC STABILITY IN BIG BALES

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of homo- and hetero-fermentative lactic acid bacteria mix on the ensiled lucerne fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability in big bales. The lucerne was ensiled without additives (C) and treated with a mix of bacterial inoculant that contains Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus buchneri (50:50) (I). Silage was treated with bacterial inoculant, which significantly increased the total organic acids concentration by 69 %, lactic acid by 92% and acetic acid by 76 %. If the results were compared with the C silage, the inoculation significantly decreased the concentrations of butyric acid by 73 %, ethanol by 53 % and ammonia - N concentration by 33%. Inoculated silage had significantly lowered the yeast count by 59 % and moulds count by 34 %. Compared to the inoculated silage and during the aerobic exposure, the untreated silage maximum temperature was significantly higher (13.9 degrees C vs 4.6 degrees C) (P < 0.05). Therefore, the bacterial inoculant improved the quality of fermentation and aerobic stability in lucerne silages.