THE NUMBERS OF EPIPHYTIC BACTERIA ON GRASS AT ENSILAGE ON COMMERCIAL FARMS

The numbers of lactic acid bacteria and enterobacteria on herbage at the silage pit on commercial farms in Durham and Northumberland were determined in 1987 and 1988. The mean number of lactic acid bacteria were higher (P <0.01) in 1987 (second silage cut) than in 1988 (first silage cut); mean values were 5.46 and 4.85 log10 colony‐forming units g−1 herbage, respectively, when enumerated on MRS agar. In 1988, when Rogosa agar was used to enumerate the lactic acid bacteria in addition to MRS agar, the numbers of lactic acid bacteria recovered were substantially less than on MRS agar. These results are discussed in relation to epiphytic lactic acid bacteria numbers reported in the literature and to recommended application rates of inoculant‐type silage additives. The epiphytic enterobacteria did not differ in numbers between years and had a mean value of 4.76 log10 colonyforming units g−1 herbage. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd