Microbiota dynamics of alfalfa silage treated by Lactobacillus casei and cellulase addition during ensiling and by subsequent air exposure

The bacterial community dynamics of cellulase, Lactobacillus casei, and air treated alfalfa silage were studied using Illumina Miseq sequencing to understand their effects on silage quality. Medicago sativa was ensiled without (CON) or with L. casei (LC) or cellulose (CE) for 56 days, then exposed to air for 3 days (PO).Inoculants and enzymes can improve ensiling quality by different ways. We hypothesized that the release of WSC from cellulase can promote the growth of LAB species; also, that L. casei can amplify in silage and affect the fermentation quality of alfalfa silage during ensiling. Thus we researched the microbiota during ensiling and early stages of air exposure using next generation sequencing (Illumina MiSeq).