Measuring the Quality and
Quantity off Fermentation Bacteria .
in Silage Inoculants
by Dr. John E. Hill,
Research Microbiologist,
Microbial Genetics Division,
Pjoneer Hj-Bred International, Inc.
Two criteria often used in com
paring different silage, inoculants
are (1) the quality or performance
capacity of the fermentation bac
teria in the product and (2) the
quantity or actual numbers of
these bacteria. Both these criteria
are valid measures; however, each
must be carefully used and in
terpreted.
Labels on most silage inoculant
products list the species of bac
teria contained in the product.
One of the most common of these
is Lactobacillus plantarum. How
ever, the species L. plantarum
includes a very large number of
strains with differing capabilities
for producing good silage. Atid the
label may not indicate which of
these strains are included in any
given product.
An Analogy'lb Seeds
All strains of soybeans belong to
the species Glycine max; all
strains of wheat belong to the spe
cies Triticum aestivum. But, as
soybean and wheat growers know,
all strains of G. max and T.
aestivum are not the same. Differ
ent strains provide different
yields, different degrees of re
sistance and a variety of other
desirable or undesirable char
acteristics.
The same holds true for differ
ent strains of L. plantarum. Min
ute, naturally occurring changes
in genetic makeup can result in a
strain that is more effective than
others in fermenting a wide vari
ety of forages... that is more effi
cient in production of lactic acid...
or that produces by-products
which help bind up excess water.
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Identifying, isolating and re
producing such strains for inclu
sion in a silage inoculant requires
examining hundreds of strains
and conducting thousands of
tests. AhS once-a superior strain
is identified and isolated, there is
no assurance that it will retain
the desired properties. A produc
tion strain must be tested and
retested to ensure that the charac
teristics for which it was origi
nally selected are maintained...
minimizing genetic 'drift.’ So
inclusion of the same strain in dif
ferent products does not guaran
tee comparable product activity.
The entire process of producing a
silage inoculant requires a skilled
and professional research and
production team and a large in
vestment in quality control
procedures.
Are Numbers Significant?
Silage inoculants are also com
pared on the basis of the number
of viable organisms per gram. In
making such comparisons, it is
necessary to know whether this
figure refers to the bacterial count
at the time the product was pro
duced or at the time it is sold
and used.
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 19,
The number of viable bacteria
in any inoculant product will be
reduced as storage time is
extended. Whether or not this
reduction is gradual or rapid will
depend largely on how the prod
uct was originally produced and
how it is handled and stored prior
to use.
The technology and methods
used in drying, formulating and
packaging the product can have a
significant impact on how long
the bacteria in it will remain via
ble. Viability can also be ad
versely affected if the product is
exposed to excessive temperature
or moisture during the course
of distribution, handling and
storage.
Pioneer® brand 1177 silage
inoculant tests well against both
quality and quantity criteria.
. 1177 is the product of an ongoing,
intensive research effort. This
effort is aimed at isolating and
reproducing those strains of L.
plantarum which have been iden
tified as being most effective for
silage making for a wide range of
crops and conditions. Strict qual
ity controls and ongoing testing
programs minimize the chance of
genetic 'drift’ or change in the
strains which go into 1177.
1177 is produced using a unique
drying method which assures that
fermentation bacteria will be
alive and ready to reproduce when
added to silage. 1177 is dis
tributed, handled and stored
through the same channels and
with the same care as Pioneer®
brand seeds. This minimizes any
chance of damage to the product.
And supplies of 1177 are held in
the field for no more than one
year to assure good bacterial
activity.
One in a series of articles devoted
to improved silage making and
sponsored by Pioneef Hi-Bred
International, Inc. 1177 silage
inoculant is available from your
Pioneer sales representative. Ask
him for more information about it.