USE OF MICROBIAL ADDITIVES IN ALFALFA SILAGE PREPARATION (a review)

Alfalfa poses challenges for ensiling because of its elevated protein levels, low amounts of water-soluble carbohydrates, low dry matter content, and high buffering capacity. As a result, there has been a recent push to improve silage production using additives. In recent years, silage additives have been employed to enhance the quality of alfalfa silage. Bacterial additives are employed to enhance the quality of crop silage, with a particular emphasis on hay silage. A primary objective of incorporating lactic acid bacteria into silage is to inhibit the proliferation of undesirable microorganisms, including Clostridium and Enterobacteriaceae. This is achieved by swiftly elevating the hydrogen ion concentration to a threshold that is inhospitable for the growth of these detrimental bacteria. Recent insights into the functions of bacterial additives in crop silage suggest significant potential for enhancing silage, not just as a fermented feed, but also to deliver probiotic substances that can benefit animal health. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the silage preparation process and critically assesses a range of studies concerning the quality of silage, as well as the impact of bacterial additives on alfalfa silage. The quality of silage can be enhanced by incorporating different bacterial inoculants, which help during fermentation, storage, and feeding by improving fermentation processes, encouraging beneficial microbial diversity, and inhibiting harmful microorganisms. Alfalfa is the most important forage, and microbial additives can enhance its silage preparation in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.