Metataxonomic insights into the microbial ecology of farm-scale hay, grass or legume, and corn silage produced with and without inoculants

The microbiota of silage is a key determinant its quality. Although commercial inoculants are often used to improve quality, studies analyze their impact on the preserved forage at farm-scale facilities scarce. We assessed diversity viable bacterial communities hay (unfermented dry forage) and grass or legume (GL) corn (C) deepen our knowledge how inoculant addition drives microbial occurrence patterns dairy farms. Forage samples were collected from 24 farms over two sampling periods. Samples analyzed by high-throughput sequencing quantitative PCR after being treated with propidium monoazide account for cells. found consistent significant differences between community structures across Silage was generally dominated lactic acid bacteria (LAB), while Pantoea Sphingomonas main co-dominant genera in hay. GL Pediococcus , Weissella Bacillus phylogenetically different C enriched Acetobacter . use including Lentilactobacillus buchneri either alone combination Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lacticaseibacillus casei pentosaceus Enterococcus faecium did not systematically prevent undesirable bacteria, especially when corn-based, probably because factors that can mitigate effect inoculation microbiota. core Lactobacillales constituted dominant LAB up 96% relative abundance, indicating ubiquity high competitiveness epiphytes. chemical profiles varied inconsistently periods inoculants. Multivariate multi-table analyses allowed identification clusters mainly driven moisture magnesium content hay, pH, lactic, fatty acids drivers silage. Bacterial network showed considerable variations topological roles These results may help evaluate effectiveness management practices implemented and, therefore, useful fine-tuning search new additives. Such be makers adjust processing routines hygienic nutritional potential, aerobic stability forage.