Fibrolytic Enzymes and Lactic Acid Bacteria Improve the Ensiling Characteristics of Ramie and Elephant Grass Mixed Silage

Understanding the effects of bacteria and enzyme addition on mixed crop silage is imperative for dairy producers to make informed decisions. The current study evaluated the chemical changes in silage prepared from different ramie and elephant grass ratios (30:70, 50:50, 70:30, and 100:0) in response to bacteria (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) and enzyme addition (0, 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) in a complete randomized design. The results indicated that the proportion of ramie in silage (p < 0.01), level of bacteria (p < 0.05), and level of enzyme added (p = 0.05) affected the CP, fiber, volatile fatty acids, and lactic acid contents and pH of silage. By comprehensive analysis, low lignin content and pH of silage with high lactic acid content was observed with a 30% ramie proportion. High CP and lactic acid contents with low ADF, lignin, and pH values were observed with the addition of bacteria (p < 0.05). High lactic acid with low ADF content was observed with the addition of enzyme in silage (p ≤ 0.05). The optimum quality of silage was observed when the ramie, bacteria, and enzymes were added at the levels of 30%, 200 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg, respectively, in ramie and elephant grass mixed silage.