Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is rich in condensed tannins (CT). CT function includes inhibiting bacterial and fungi activity during the ensiling process. We used polyethylene glycol (PEG) to deactivate tannin activity to find out the effects of CT. The results show that the addition of PEG increased dry-matter loss (8.32% vs. 14.15%, on a dry-matter basis) after 60 d of ensiling, and also increased lactic acid (10.90% vs. 15.90%, on a dry-matter basis) and acetic-acid content (7.32% vs. 13.85%, on a dry-matter basis) after 30 d of ensiling. The PEG-treated group increased its Pediococcus relative abundance (0.37–3.38% vs. 7.82–23.5%,) during the ensiling process, increased its Gibellulopsis relative abundance after 3 d of ensiling (5.96% vs. 19.52%), increased its Vishniacozyma relative abundance after 3 d and 7 d of ensiling (2.36% vs. 17.02%, 3.65% vs. 17.17%), and increased its Aspergillus relative abundance after 7 d, 14 d and 60 d of ensiling (0.28% vs. 1.32%, 0.49% vs. 2.84% and 1.74% vs. 7.56%). However, the PEG-treated group decreased its Alternaria relative abundance during entire ensiling process (14.00–25.21% vs. 3.33–7.49%). These results suggest that condensed tannins inhibit lactic-acid bacteria fermentation though reducing Pediococcus activity, and inhibiting fungi activity depending on different strains.

The present study aimed to investigate the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization of continuous addition effects plant biomass, the physiological properties of leaves and the antioxi-dant enzyme activities of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) in the northern Xinjiang region; including the no fertilization (CK), nitrogen fertilization (N, 120 kg·ha⁻¹), phosphorus fertilization (with low amount of N) (P, 100 kg·ha⁻¹ P and 23.5 kg·ha⁻¹ N) and combined nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization (NP, 120 kg·ha⁻¹ N and 100 kg·ha⁻¹ P) on the K well supplied soil. After three consecutive years of the supply of N and P fertilization, samples were taken at the first flowering of alfalfa (four clippings in the total year) to determine its pigment concentration, stomatal aperture, antioxidant enzyme activity and hay yield. The results showed that NP fertilization promoted growth with a higher number of branches and hay yield of alfalfa, while N or P fertilization alone had a positive effect on the growth of alfalfa. However, P fertilization significantly increased the carotenoid (Car) content at the early flowering stage of alfalfa leaves (during four clippings) (p < 0.05), In addition, NP ferti-lization enhanced stomatal aperture, increased the antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased the oxidized substance at the early flowering stage of alfalfa leaves. The results showed that a N and P balance rather than an absolute amount of either enhanced the growth of alfalfa, and N or P fertili-zation affects physiological traits differently. We propose that NP fertilization increases the nutri-tional characteristics and physiological characteristics, enhancing the adaptive capacity of alfalfa and making it better adapted to external environmental changes.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Streptococcus bovis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, bacterial communities, and predicted metabolic pathways of whole-plant triticale silage ( Triticosecale Wittmack ). Fresh triticale harvested at the milk stage was ensiled in sterile distilled water (CON), Streptococcus bovis (ST), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP), and a combination of S. bovis and L. plantarum (LS) for 3, 7, 15, and 30 days. During ensiling, the pH and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content in the inoculated groups was significantly lower than those in the CON group ( P < 0.05), especially in the LS group ( P < 0.05). After 7 days of ensiling, the ST and LS groups had lower ( P < 0.05) starch content and higher ( P < 0.05) concentrations of lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA). Inoculation with S. bovis and L. plantarum , either alone or in combination, increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus while reducing the abundance of Weissella , Rosenbergiella , Pantoea , and Enterobacter . Metabolic prediction analysis indicated that inoculation with S. bovis enhanced starch and sucrose metabolism during the early stages of ensiling. The abundance of Streptococcus positively correlated with LA ( P < 0.05) and AA concentration but negatively correlated with starch content, pH, and propionic acid (PA) concentration ( P < 0.05). S. bovis inoculation increased starch hydrolysis and carbohydrate metabolism during the early stages. S. bovis and L. plantarum synergistically improved the fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of triticale silage. Therefore, S. bovis can be used as an additive or for a fast start-up agent to improve silage fermentation quality. IMPORTANCE: Ensiling is a widely used method for preserving fresh forage. Silage quality is determined by the chemical and microbial composition. Studies have shown that S. bovis grew faster than commercial species, thereby creating advantages for other lactic acid bacteria during ensiling. Therefore, we believe that S. bovis and L. plantarum can synergistically improve the fermentation characteristics and bacterial community in silage. However, few studies use high-throughput methods to explain the impact of S. bovis on silage fermentation. Results showed that S. bovis significantly affected the fermentation parameters, bacterial community, and metabolic characteristics of triticale silage. S. bovis and L. plantarum synergistically accelerated the fermentation, reducing pH and WSC while increasing lactic acid and acetic acid concentrations in the early stages of ensiling. Additionally, co-inoculation increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus and carbohydrate metabolism. This study emphasizes the synergistic role of S. bovis and L. plantarum in enhancing triticale silage quality, providing scientific support for novel silage additives.

Gossypol is a polyphenolic toxic secondary metabolite derived from cotton. Free gossypol in cotton meal is remarkably harmful to animals. Furthermore, microbial degradation of gossypol produces metabolites that reduce feed quality. We adopted an enzymatic method to degrade free gossypol safely and effectively. We cloned the gene cce001a encoding carboxylesterase (CarE) into pPICZαA and transformed it into Pichia pastoris GS115. The target protein was successfully obtained, and CarE CCE001a could effectively degrade free gossypol with a degradation rate of 89%. When esterase was added, the exposed toxic groups of gossypol reacted with different amino acids and amines to form bound gossypol, generating substances with (M + H) m/z ratios of 560.15, 600.25, and 713.46. The molecular formula was C₂₇H₂₈O₁₃, C₃₄H₃₆N₂O₆, and C₄₇H₅₉N₃O₃. The observed instability of the hydroxyl groups caused the substitution and shedding of the group, forming a substance with m/z of 488.26 and molecular formula C₃₁H₃₆O₅. These properties render the CarE CCE001a a valid candidate for the detoxification of cotton meal. Furthermore, the findings help elucidate the degradation process of gossypol in vitro.

Climate change due to global warming increases the susceptibility of plants to multiple combined stresses. Soil salinization and high temperature stresses that co-occur in arid/semiarid regions severely restrict the growth and development of plants. Although alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage grass, the physiological mechanisms driving its responses to combined salt and heat stress are not yet clear. This study aimed to reveal the physiological and biochemical response mechanisms of six alfalfa cultivars to different stresses by comparing plant morphology, agronomic traits, photosynthetic characteristics, and physiological and biochemical responses under control conditions, salt stress (200 mM NaCl), heat stress (38 °C), and combined salt and heat stress. Compared with single stresses, combined stress significantly inhibited the growth and biomass accumulation of alfalfa. Under combined stress, the cultivars presented decreases in plant height and total fresh biomass of 11.87–26.49% and 28.22–39.97%, respectively, compared with those of the control plants. Heat stress promoted alfalfa photosynthesis by increasing stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate, while salt stress and combined stress significantly suppressed these effects. Combined stress significantly increased the concentration of Na⁺ but decreased that of K⁺ and the relative water content in alfalfa leaves. Compared with the control and single stress treatments, combined stress significantly increased the level of membrane lipid peroxidation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The proline contents in the leaves of the different alfalfa cultivars were 2.79–11.26 times greater under combined stress than in the control. Combined stress causes alfalfa to redistribute energy from growth and development to stress defense pathways, ultimately leading to a reduction in biomass. Our study provides theoretical guidance for analyzing the mechanisms of grass resistance to combined salt and heat stress.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Broussonetia papyrifera is an unconventional feed resource with significant developmental potential. This research aimed to explore the effects of Broussonetia papyrifera silage on the growth performance, blood parameters, immunity, antioxidation, cytokine levels, and rumen bacterial composition of Kazakh lamb. Forty healthy male Kazakh lambs, aged 5 months and weighing 30.12 ± 1.14 kg, were randomly divided into control and experimental groups, each consisting of four replicates (five lambs per replicate). The control group was fed a basal diet, while the experimental group received a diet supplemented with 20% Broussonetia papyrifera silage (dry matter basis). Following a 10-day pre-feeding period, a 60-day formal experiment was conducted. The results indicated no significant difference in growth performance between the experimental and control groups. However, compared to the control group, the use of Broussonetia papyrifera silage significantly reduced (p < 0.05) neutrophil, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts, as well as creatinine levels in the blood. Furthermore, Broussonetia papyrifera silage (p < 0.01) enhanced total serum antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8, and decreased malondialdehyde and interleukin-4 levels. Additionally, the use of Broussonetia papyrifera silage increased the diversity and richness of the rumen bacterial community, notably enhancing the relative abundance of Firmicutes such as Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group. In conclusion, feeding Kazakh lamb with Broussonetia papyrifera silage (20% DM) did not adversely affect their growth performance but improved their immunity and antioxidant capacity and enhanced the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the rumen, thereby promoting animal health.