Assessing the fermentation quality and microbial community of the mixed silage of forage soybean with crop corn or sorghum.

The silage quality of forage soybean (FS) rich in protein with crop corn (CN) or sorghum (SG) rich in water soluble carbohydrate was investigated, and microbial community after ensiling was analyzed. Results showed that pH in mixed silages dropped to 3.5–3.8 lower than 100%FS silage (4.5). Microbial analysis indicated that mixed ensiling could influence the microbial community. Although Lactobacillus and Weissella were the dominant genera in all silage samples, Lactobacillus abundance in mixed silages (33–76%) was higher compared with 100%FS silage (27%). In conclusion, FS ensiled with CN or SG could be an alternative approach to improve FS silage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]