Effect of Ensiling with Acremonium Cellulase, Lactic Acid Bacterial and Formic Acid on Tissue Structure of Timothy and Alfalfa

The changes of tissue structure in timothy and alfalfa during ensiling process with silage additives; lactic acid bacteria, cellulase and formic acid, were observed with a video microscope. Stem samples were obtained from the second internode, and cut to divide into 2 pieces. One piece was for observation of ensiled material and the other was for silage. The latter piece was put into a nylon cloth bag, and ensiled with grass for 50 days in a small experimental silo Lignification of the plant tissues was checked by acid phloroglucinol. Natural silage fermentation resulted in some degradation of less lignified parenchyma in both plant species. However, lignified sclerenchyma and vascular bundles remained intact. The cellulase enhanced the degradation of parenchyma tissue, while the formic acid suppressed the degradation. The effect of lactobacillus was small. The percentage of remained cross sectional area of stem and the loss of NDF and ADF by silage fermentation confirmed the observation. High negative correlations were obtained between the remained area and loss of fibrous components during silage fermentation in both plants, and between the loss of fibrous components and in vitro dry matter digestibility in timothy but not in alfalfa.