Mixed ratios and additives affect the quality of peanut vines and whole-plant corn in mixed silages

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mixed ratios and additives on the quality of mixed silages containing peanut vines and whole-plant corn. One peanut vine silage, one corn silage, and three mixed ratio silages containing peanut vines and whole-plant corn were examined in this study. The mass ratio of peanut vine to whole-plant corn was 1∶3, 1∶1, 3∶1 in mixed silages. The control group, composite additive group, and Lactobacillus group were placed in all silages, and each group had three replicates. The silage quality of each group was measured after 60 days at ambient temperature. Results showed that the colour and total score of mixed silages decreased significantly with increasing peanut vine ratios (P < 0.01). The pH of the composite additive group was significantly lower than in the Lactobacillus and control group (P < 0.01). The ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen of mixed silages decreased and lactic acid and propionic acid increased when two kinds of additives were used (P < 0.05). With increasing proportions of peanut vines, pH, ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen, and acetic acid increased significantly (P < 0.01), while lactic acid, propionic acid, and total acid decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Water soluble carbohydrates increased significantly after adding compound additives (P < 0.01). With increasing peanut vine ratios, crude protein, ether extract, water soluble carbohydrate, and relative feed value decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and ash content increased significantly (P < 0.01). We conclude that a peanut vine to whole plant corn ratio of 1∶3 is the optimal proportion for mixed silages, providing a similar silage quality to that of silage corn. Silage compound additives can improve the quality of peanut vine and whole-plant corn mixed silages.