Improving Quality of Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria Juncea L.) Foliage as Roughage Source for Ruminants by using Microorganisms

This study aims to investigate the chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, and in vitro ruminal digestibility efficiency of Sunn hemp silage with Fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLAB) and bacillus subtilis. The experiment was designed in a CRD. Five dietary treatments were fresh Sunn hemp (FS, the positive control), Sunn hemp silage (SS, the negative control), Sunn hemp silage with B. subtilis (SSB), Sunn hemp silage with FJLAB (SSL), and SSB plus FJLAB (SSBL). The results showed the OM content of Sunn hemp silage was decreased (p < 0.05), but fiber contents (NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose) were increased when compared with fresh Sunn hemp. However, SSL and SSBL could improve nutrition values (higher CP Reduction efficiency; p < 0.01, decrease cellulose; p < 0.01, and hemicellulose content; p < 0.10) and quality grading of Sunn hemp silage when compare with the negative control which did not affect to CP and EE values. Furthermore, FJLAB reduced fiber content and increase CP content of Sunn hemp silage, whereas B. subtilis presented the opposite results. However, the combination of FJLAB and B. subtilis showed the best treatment of Sunn hemp silage of this experiment (the highest CP and EE Reduction efficiency, ruminal gas production, and organic matter degradability; OMD). HIGHLIGHTS Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids, a toxin associated with disease in ruminants, found in Sunn hemp is completely destroyed by anaerobic microorganisms of silage The fermentation process of silage was improved by increasing lactic acid production and decreasing pH value to inhibit the growth of undesirable microbes Combination of fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLAB) and Bacillus subtilis, lactic acid producer, for Sunn hemp silage treatment yielded the highest lactic acid production and nutritive values GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT