Effect of and sea buckthorn pomace on the fermentation quality and microbial community of paper mulberry silage.

Background: Paper mulberry is a promising alternative fodder source due to its high protein and the abundance of active components. However, paper mulberry often faces susceptibility to contamination during silage fermentation, and there is a need to improve the quality of silage fermentation of paper mulberry through exotic additives. Sea buckthorn pomace (BP) is a feed additive containing antimicrobial and antioxidant substances that help to enhance silage fermentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of BP and as additives on silage fermentation and bacterial community of paper mulberry.

Results: The results showed that BP and significantly reduced the pH and ammonium nitrogen content of paper mulberry silage ( < 0.05) and significantly increased the content of lactic acid and acetic acid ( < 0.05), resulting in more residual water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein contents and less fiber content relative to the control. The key microorganisms in paper mulberry silage fermentation are and . Among these, favored a rapid increase in abundance during the pre-silage fermentation period, whereas BP favored the promotion of growth, resulting in higher contents of lactic and acetic acid than those of the control.

Conclusions: Simultaneously adding and BP can effectively improve the quality of paper mulberry silage and increase the abundance of beneficial microorganisms in paper mulberry silage.