Effects of rice straw silage with combining additives of Lactobacillus Plantarum, Trichoderma viride and wheat bran on the growth performance, digestibility and rumen fermentation in growing lambs

The effects of rice straw silage with combined additives (RSSA) of Lactobacillus plantarum, Trichoderma viride and wheat bran on growth performance, digestibility and rumen fermentation in growing lambs were investigated. Twelve growing lambs with initial body weight (BW ± SD) of 12.8 ± 0.4 kg were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. These lambs were fed with rice straw silage (25%, on the dry matter intake (DMI) without additives (RSSW) and 25% RSSA supplementation respectively. The growth performance, nutrients digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters of growing lambs were determined. The results of this study showed that the average daily gain (ADG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly increased by the RSSA supplementation as compared to the RSSW supplementation (P< 0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), as well as neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was significantly increased by RSSA supplementation (P<0.05). Moreover, the microbial crude protein (MCP), total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), acetate, butyrate and valeric acid concentrations in rumen fluid were significantly enhanced by the RSSA supplementation (P<0.05). In conclusion, rice straw silage with L. plantarum, T. viride and wheat bran can enhance the overall growth performance, rumen fermentation and apparent digestibility of nutrients in the growing lambs.