Partial substitution of whole-crop corn with bamboo shoot shell improves aerobic stability of total mixed ration silage without affecting in vitro digestibility

To evaluate the feasibility of bamboo shoot shell (BSS) application in total mixed ration silage (TMR) production, the effects of BSS substitution for whole-crop corn on the fermentation characteristics, nutritive value, aerobic stability and in vitro parameters of TMR silage were studied. Four TMR formulations were designed based on dry matter: (1) 0% bamboo shoot shell + 23% whole-crop corn (BSS0); (2) 4% bamboo shoot shell + 19% whole-crop corn (BSS4); (3) 8% bamboo shoot shell + 15% whole-crop corn (BSS8); and (4) 12% bamboo shoot shell + 11% whole-crop corn (BSS12). After 90 days of ensiling, the silos were opened and sampled for fermentation characteristics, nutritive value and in vitro analyses, and subsequent 14-day aerobic stability test. All TMR silages were well preserved except BSS12, characterized by high lactic acid content and V-score, low pH and NH3-N and butyric acid content. With increasing proportion of BSS, crude protein increased (p <.05), and water soluble carbohydrate decreased (p < .05). Under aerobic exposure, BSS-substituted (BSS4, BSS8 and BSS12) silages were more stable than BSS0 silage, as characterized by relatively low silage temperature and high water soluble carbohydrate content. No obvious (p> .05) difference of BSS substitution was observed on in vitro ruminal gas production, digestibility, metabolizable energy and net energy for lactation. The substitution of whole-crop corn with 4% BSS and 8% BSS had no undesired effect on the fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility, and efficiently improving the aerobic stability of TMR silages. The BSS8 substitution level is recommended to maximize the BSS utilization.