2026-05-07 FERMENTATION-BASEL 2026 12(卷), 5(期), (null页)
Microbial inoculants are widely used to improve the fermentation and aerobic stability of silages, particularly in sorghum, which is susceptible to deterioration; therefore, this study evaluated the effects of Lentilactobacillus buchneri (Lb), alone or combined with Lentilactobacillus hilgardii (Lb + Lh), on the fermentation profile, microbial stability, chemical composition, and aerobic stability of whole-plant sorghum silage. A completely randomized design was adopted in a 3 & times; 3 factorial scheme, with three fermentation periods (20, 60 and 100 days) and three microbial inoculants (control, Lb and Lb + Lh), with five replicates per factorial treatment; the fermentation parameters, chemical composition, microbial populations, and aerobic stability were evaluated. A interaction (p < 0.05) between inoculants and fermentation periods was observed for pH, organic acids, microbial counts, and aerobic stability; inoculated silages showed increased lactic acid bacteria, higher acetic and propionic acid production, and inhibition of yeasts and molds, especially at 100 days, resulting in improved aerobic stability at 60 and 100 days. The microbial diversity was lower in inoculated factorial treatments, with predominance of Lentilactobacillus, while the control showed a higher abundance of undesirable microorganisms; Kazachstania was the predominant fungal genus. In conclusion, inoculation improves the fermentation quality, microbial stability, and aerobic stability of sorghum silage, reducing losses.