A method for self-fermentation silage of Caragana korshinskii, the product and its application

Abstract

This invention provides a method, product, and application of self-fermented silage from *Caragana korshinskii*, relating to the field of silage technology. The method involves mixing *Caragana korshinskii* and pumpkin at a mass ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1) and then fermenting the mixture to obtain silage. This method eliminates the need for any compound microbial agents or enzyme preparations; efficient silage is achieved naturally and spontaneously simply by mixing *Caragana korshinskii* and pumpkin at a mass ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1). This improves palatability and significantly increases livestock feed intake. It also enables high-value utilization of both *Caragana korshinskii* and substandard pumpkin resources. Furthermore, the process is extremely simple, using anaerobic digestion at room temperature, and is easily scalable. This invention efficiently converts *Caragana korshinskii* ecological resources into feed while fully leveraging the high sugar and protein content of pumpkin, achieving a triple benefit of ecological restoration, feed quality improvement, and waste resource utilization, providing core technological support for integrated forage and livestock development.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of silage technology, and in particular to a method for self-fermentation silage of Caragana korshinskii, the product, and its applications. Background Technology

[0002] Desertification control in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest my country is a core strategic task for national ecological security. Caragana korshinskii, as a core shrub for windbreak, sand fixation, and soil and water conservation, has a planting area of ​​over 10 million mu and has dual value of ecological protection and high-quality feed: its crude protein content reaches 12%-15%, and it is rich in minerals and essential amino acids, which can significantly improve the production performance and meat quality of ruminants. It is an important roughage resource in the pastoral areas of Northwest China.

[0003] Currently, there are two major challenges in the utilization of Caragana korshinskii as animal feed: Traditional drying has extremely low utilization efficiency: After fresh Caragana korshinskii grass is dried and shredded into hay or pellets, the coarse fiber hardness increases significantly, palatability is extremely poor, livestock feed intake decreases by 40%-60%, and only about 30% of its feed value can be utilized. Silage technology relies on exogenous additives, making it difficult to scale up: Silage is a key technology for preserving and improving the quality of green fodder, but Caragana korshinskii, as a leguminous shrub, has a water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of only 2%-3%, far below the minimum threshold of 5% required for silage fermentation. When silaged alone, lactic acid bacteria cannot obtain enough carbon source to start fermentation, resulting in a persistently high pH (>4.6), which easily leads to butyric acid fermentation and protein degradation, resulting in a silage success rate of less than 30%. Existing technologies require the addition of exogenous microbial agents or enzyme preparations, which not only increases the cost of silage but also makes exogenous microbial agents susceptible to inactivation due to the low temperature and dry environment of pastoral areas. Enzyme preparations require precise temperature control for activation, making the process complex and difficult to scale up for individual farmers and small and medium-sized farms in pastoral areas. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a method, product, and application of self-fermented silage of Caragana korshinskii, which solves the defects of low feed utilization efficiency of Caragana korshinskii, silage technology dependence on exogenous additives and difficulty in large-scale promotion in the prior art. It can efficiently improve the feed value of Caragana korshinskii, simplify the silage preparation process, reduce the silage production cost, and meet the needs of large-scale application.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for self-fermenting silage of *Caragana korshinskii*, comprising: mixing *Caragana korshinskii* and pumpkin at a mass ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1) and then fermenting and ensiling them to obtain silage.

[0006] In existing technologies, the success rate of silage fermentation of Caragana korshinskii alone is low: the water-soluble carbohydrate content of Caragana korshinskii is only 2%~3%, which cannot meet the carbon source requirements of lactic acid bacteria fermentation, and silage alone is prone to failure and poor quality; silage technology relies on exogenous additives, which is costly and complex: lactic acid bacteria, enzyme preparations, and exogenous sugars need to be added, which increases production costs, and the bacteria and enzymes need to be activated and temperature controlled, making it difficult to promote on a large scale in pastoral areas; the resource utilization of pumpkin waste is singular and has a low utilization rate: substandard pumpkins and processing by-products are mostly landfilled or simply fed, without achieving high-value utilization.

[0007] To address the problems of existing methods for producing Caragana korshinskii silage, such as reliance on exogenous additives, high costs, complex processes, and low resource utilization rates of pumpkin waste, this invention provides a method for producing Caragana korshinskii-pumpkin mixed silage that requires no microbial enzymes and undergoes spontaneous fermentation. This method achieves the goals of zero additives, low cost, extremely simple process, excellent fermentation quality, good nutrient retention, and scalability. Specifically: Pumpkin has a water-soluble carbohydrate content of 10% to 15%. When mixed with tamarisk at a mass ratio of (0.9 to 1.1): 1, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of the silage raw material is increased to 6% to 8%, which meets the minimum threshold of 5% required for silage fermentation and completely solves the problem of insufficient carbon source for tamarisk silage alone.

[0008] Pumpkin skin and flesh naturally contain lactic acid bacteria (up to 10%). 6 (CFU / g) can be used directly as a fermentation starter, without the need for exogenous lactic acid bacteria. Natural lactic acid bacteria are more suitable for pastoral environments and have higher fermentation stability.

[0009] The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of *Caragana korshinskii* is relatively low (15~20:1), while that of pumpkin is relatively high (25~30:1). When mixed at a mass ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1) between *Caragana korshinskii* and pumpkin, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio reaches (20~25):1, which meets the optimal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio range for high-quality silage. This promotes the rapid accumulation of lactic acid, and the pH can drop below 4.5 within 24 hours. It effectively inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms such as butyric acid bacteria and putrefactive bacteria, reduces protein degradation, and achieves high-quality silage.

[0010] Additive-free spontaneous silage process: No need to add any microbial agents, enzymes, or exogenous sugars, efficient silage can be achieved simply by mixing lemon twigs and pumpkin at a ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1) fresh weight.

[0011] Achieve high-value utilization of pumpkin waste: Transform substandard pumpkins, unsold pumpkins, and processing by-products into natural carbon source supplements for silage of leek, making full use of their high sugar and high protein feed advantages.

[0012] As a preferred option, the selected Caragana korshinskii is harvested by cutting back on 5-year-old or older Caragana korshinskii during the vegetation dormancy period; the average 3-year period is one cutting-back and tending cycle, followed by closed-off management.

[0013] The pumpkins selected are: honey pumpkins at physiological maturity; More preferably, the fresh sample of the physiologically mature honey squash contains 12% to 18% water-soluble carbohydrates and has a naturally attached lactic acid bacteria content of not less than 10%. 6 CFU / g.

[0014] Preferably, the dry matter (DM) content of the physiologically mature honey squash is 15%~20%.

[0015] Preferably, before use, the diseased or rotten parts of the pumpkin should be removed, and it should be mechanically crushed to a particle size of 1-2 cm to ensure full contact with the shredded lemongrass.

[0016] Preferably, the shredded lemongrass is mixed with pumpkin for fermentation and silage. After shredding, the lemongrass forms filamentous fiber bundles with a length of 2-4 cm and a width of 2-5 mm, and the longitudinal tear rate of the stem is not less than 90%.

[0017] This method breaks down the lignification barrier of shrub stems by crushing the shrubs into shreds, thereby increasing the specific surface area and enabling them to fully absorb the high sugar and moisture released after the pumpkin is crushed. This creates a spontaneous fermentation substrate with uniform microbial distribution and moisture balance.

[0018] Preferably, the fermentation temperature of the silage is 10~35℃, and the fermentation time is 55~70 days.

[0019] Preferably, the raw materials for the fermented silage also include a compound microbial agent. The compound microbial agent includes Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus bruneri. Based on the mixture obtained by mixing lemongrass and pumpkin, the live bacteria content added per kilogram of the mixture is (1×10) 11 )~ (5×10 11 The CFU / g concentration of *Lactobacillus plantarum* was 0.9~1.3 mg, and the viable cell count was (1×10⁻⁶). 11 )~ (5×10 11 0.4~0.7 mg of Lactobacillus bruneri CFU / g.

[0020] Preferably, the raw materials for the fermented silage also include compound enzyme preparations; The compound enzyme preparation includes cellulase and xylanase; Based on the mixture obtained by mixing lemongrass and pumpkin, 200-300 mg of cellulase with an enzyme activity of 80,000-150,000 U / g and 200-300 mg of xylanase with an enzyme activity of 80,000-150,000 U / g are added per kilogram of the mixture.

[0021] Preferably, the compound enzyme preparation is mixed with the mixture in the form of a compound enzyme preparation solution, wherein the compound enzyme preparation solution includes Tween-80 and a citrate buffer with a pH of 5 to 5.5; More preferably, the preparation method of the composite enzyme preparation solution includes: mixing a citrate buffer solution with a pH of 5-5.5 and Tween-80 to obtain a citrate buffer solution containing Tween-80, and then dissolving cellulase and xylanase in the citrate buffer solution containing Tween-80 to obtain the composite enzyme preparation solution. Add 0.13~0.20g per 100mL of the citrate buffer solution.

[0022] The enzyme protein conformation in the compound enzyme preparation solution provided in this scheme is fully extended. The addition of Tween-80 prevents the subsequent ineffective adsorption of the enzyme by lignin. Furthermore, the dense structure of the epidermis and xylem of *Caragana korshinskii*, with its hydrophobic properties, means that ordinary aqueous solutions tend to condense into droplets or remain only on the surface. Tween-80 significantly reduces the surface tension of the compound enzyme preparation solution, allowing the liquid to overcome the physical barrier of the rough surface and penetrate deep into the plant tissue along the capillary pores formed after *Caragana korshinskii* is shredded or crushed. This greatly improves the wettability of the liquid, ensuring that enzymatic cell wall degradation no longer occurs merely on the substrate surface but extends into the three-dimensional space within the substrate, multiplying the effective contact area between the enzyme and the substrate. Simultaneously, the pH of the citrate buffer in this scheme is controlled at 5–5.5, which is the optimal pH range for plant cell wall degrading enzymes, maximizing their catalytic activity and improving the degree of plant cell wall degradation and conversion efficiency.

[0023] Preferably, the preparation method of the composite enzyme preparation solution includes: mixing 100 mL of citrate buffer with a pH of 5-5.5 and 0.15 g of Tween-80 to obtain a citrate buffer containing Tween-80, and then dissolving 5 g of cellulase and 5 g of xylanase in the citrate buffer containing Tween-80 to obtain the composite enzyme preparation solution.

[0024] Preferably, the compound microbial agent is mixed with the mixture in the form of a compound microbial agent solution; The compound microbial agent solution or the compound enzyme preparation solution is added by mixing the compound microbial agent solution or the compound enzyme preparation solution with the mixture via electrostatic spraying. The compound microbial agent solution and the compound enzyme preparation solution are added as follows: the compound microbial agent solution and the compound enzyme preparation solution are mixed and ultrasonically homogenized to a uniform suspension state (without any visible powder clumps) to obtain a suspension, and the suspension is mixed with the mixture by electrostatic spraying.

[0025] The charged droplets formed by electrostatic spraying of the suspension in this solution will penetrate deep into the rough capillary pores of the Caragana korshinskii, which is conducive to full contact between the compound bacterial agent, compound enzyme preparation and the material, and accelerates the reaction.

[0026] Preferably, the power of the ultrasonic homogenization is 200W~300W, and the duration of the ultrasonic homogenization is 60~90 seconds.

[0027] This method controls the power and time of ultrasonic homogenization within the specific range mentioned above, which ensures that there is enough time for the compound bacterial agent and compound enzyme to form a uniform suspension, while avoiding cavitation heat damage to the bacterial cells caused by excessive ultrasonic homogenization time.

[0028] Preferably, the specific method for mixing the suspension with the mixture via electrostatic spraying is as follows: when the mixture is tumbling in the mixer, the electrostatic spraying is activated to ensure that the nozzle is 30-50 cm away from the material to form a uniform atomization band.

[0029] Preferably, the preparation method of the compound bacterial agent solution includes the following steps: S1. Based on the mass of water as 100%, dissolve 0.09%~0.11% trehalose and 0.18%~2.2% xylooligosaccharide in water to form an isotonic protective solution; S2. Add the lyophilized powders of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brunelli to the isotonic protective solution, shake well, and then let stand at a constant temperature of 10~35℃ for 20~30 minutes.

[0030] The compound bacterial agent solution prepared by the method provided in this scheme allows the bacteria in the compound bacterial agent solution to complete cell membrane repair and develop pre-adaptive resistance to tannins in Caragana korshinskii.

[0031] Preferably, the fermentation temperature of the silage is 10~35℃, and the fermentation time is 55~70 days; The raw materials for the fermented silage also include compound microbial agents. The compound microbial agent includes Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus bruneri. Based on the mixture obtained by mixing lemongrass and pumpkin, the live bacteria content added per kilogram of the mixture is (1×10) 11 )~ (5×10 11 The CFU / g concentration of *Lactobacillus plantarum* was 0.9~1.3 mg, and the viable cell count was (1×10⁻⁶). 11 )~ (5×10 11 0.4~0.7 mg of Lactobacillus bruneri CFU / g.

[0032] The raw materials for the fermented silage also include compound enzyme preparations; The compound enzyme preparation includes cellulase and xylanase; Based on the mixture obtained by mixing lemongrass and pumpkin, 200-300 mg of cellulase with an enzyme activity of 80,000-150,000 U / g and 200-300 mg of xylanase with an enzyme activity of 80,000-150,000 U / g are added per kilogram of the mixture.

[0033] This scheme uses the above standardized enzyme addition amount and fermentation parameters to ensure the stability and repeatability of the fermentation process, which is convenient for large-scale promotion and application.

[0034] Preferably, the fermented silage is a vacuum-sealed anaerobic fermented silage.

[0035] This solution features a minimalist process suitable for promotion in pastoral areas: it only requires shredding lemon twigs, mixing them with pumpkin, vacuum sealing, and anaerobic fermentation at room temperature. No complex equipment or temperature control is required, making it suitable for both small-scale farmers and large-scale farms in pastoral areas.

[0036] This method involves vacuum-sealed anaerobic fermentation: using vacuum-sealed polyethylene plastic bags as fermentation containers to completely isolate the air, providing a stable environment for the anaerobic fermentation of lactic acid bacteria, avoiding the growth of aerobic harmful microorganisms, and ensuring the quality of silage fermentation.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present invention provides silage prepared by the self-fermentation silage method of *Caragana korshinskii* as described in the first aspect.

[0038] A third aspect of the present invention provides a silage, comprising the silage as described in the second aspect.

[0039] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: (1) Top-quality silage fermentation can be achieved without the need for bacterial enzymes, resulting in excellent fermentation quality. This invention requires no addition of any compound microbial agents or compound enzyme preparations. It can naturally and spontaneously complete efficient silage simply by mixing Caragana korshinskii and pumpkin at a mass ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1). After fermentation, the pH is stable at 3.80~3.83, which is far lower than the standard for high-quality silage (pH≤4.2). The lactic acid content is as high as 7.72% or more, and harmful fermentation products such as propionic acid are significantly reduced. The ratio of ammonia nitrogen to total nitrogen is as low as 7.14%, and the protein protection effect is excellent, achieving the quality of premium grade silage.

[0040] (2) Improve palatability and significantly increase feed intake in livestock. After mixing with silage, the fiber content is reduced, the feed is soft and juicy, and its palatability is far superior to traditional Caragana hay, pellet feed, and Caragana silage alone. This can significantly increase the feed intake of ruminants and improve breeding efficiency.

[0041] (3) The process is extremely simple, involves anaerobic digestion at room temperature, and is very easy to scale up. This invention requires no complex equipment or temperature control; it can be completed simply by mixing and fermenting the silage of lemon twigs and pumpkin. Farmers, livestock farms, and enterprises can operate it locally, making it suitable for large-scale industrial application in pastoral areas and pumpkin-producing regions in Northwest China.

[0042] (4) Realize the high-value utilization of both Caragana korshinskii and substandard pumpkin resources. This invention efficiently utilizes the ecological resources of Caragana korshinskii as feed, while also making resource-based use of substandard pumpkins, unsold pumpkins, and processing by-products. It fully leverages the feed advantages of pumpkins' high sugar and high protein content, avoids rotting and waste, and environmental pollution, achieving a triple benefit of ecological governance, feed quality improvement, and waste resource utilization, and providing core technical support for the integrated development of grass and livestock. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0044] Unless otherwise specified, specific techniques or conditions in the embodiments of this invention shall be performed in accordance with the techniques or conditions described in the literature in this field, or in accordance with the product instructions. Devices, instruments, reagents, etc., whose manufacturers are not specified are all conventional products that can be purchased through legitimate channels. All raw materials used in this invention are readily available in the domestic market.

[0045] In this invention, the technical features described in an open-ended manner include both closed-ended technical solutions composed of the listed features and open-ended technical solutions that include the listed features.

[0046] In this invention, numerical ranges are involved. Unless otherwise specified, the numerical ranges are considered continuous and include the minimum and maximum values ​​of the range, as well as every value between the minimum and maximum values. Furthermore, when the range refers to integers, it includes every integer between the minimum and maximum values ​​of the range. In other words, unless otherwise specified, all ranges disclosed herein should be understood to include any and all subranges to which they are included.

[0047] The index data for the following examples and comparative tests are the average values ​​of each index of 3 bags of 500 g / bag vacuum-sealed fermentation compositions.

[0048] The following examples and comparative examples use the following specific types of Caragana korshinskii: Fresh Caragana Shoots: Select fresh, healthy Caragana shoots and tender leaves, remove impurities and withered parts, shred them, and set aside.

[0049] Example 1 This embodiment provides a method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii*, including the following steps: S1. Shred Caragana (caragana older than 5 years is harvested during the dormant period of the vegetation; an average of 3 years is a coppicing and tending cycle, followed by closed management after coppicing) and pumpkin (honey-type pumpkin at physiological maturity). The water-soluble carbohydrate content of fresh samples of physiologically mature honey squash is 12%~18%, and the content of naturally attached lactic acid bacteria is not less than 10%. 6 After crushing (CFU / g), the mixture is prepared by mixing in a mass ratio of 1:1. S2. Pack the mixture into vacuum-sealed polyethylene plastic bags at a rate of 500 g / bag (3 bags in total). Compact the mixture during the filling process to expel the air from the bags. Use a vacuum sealing machine to seal the plastic bags to ensure no air leakage and to maintain an anaerobic environment for fermentation. Ferment the sealed bags at room temperature (10~20℃) for 60 days to obtain silage (referred to as Caragana korshinskii silage).

[0050] Comparative Example 1 The difference between the method for fermenting and ensiling Caragana korshinskii provided in this comparative example and Example 1 is that no pumpkin is used (i.e. only Caragana korshinskii is used for ensiling), and ensiling material is obtained (denoted as Caragana korshinskii ensiling).

[0051] The silage prepared in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were tested for the following indicators: pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen, dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. The test results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0052] Table 1. Core test results of Caragana korshinskii silage and Caragana korshinskii pumpkin silage

[0053] Table 1 shows that compared with silage made from Caragana korshinskii alone, silage made from a mixture of Caragana korshinskii and pumpkin exhibited significantly lower pH, significantly higher lactic acid content, significantly lower propionic acid and ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen ratios, and significantly lower levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, while significantly increasing crude protein content. The results indicate that, under additive-free conditions, the mixture of Caragana korshinskii and pumpkin significantly improves silage fermentation quality and nutrient retention. Silage made from Caragana korshinskii alone ferments poorly, while silage made from a mixture of Caragana korshinskii and pumpkin shows significantly lower pH, significantly higher lactic acid, complete inhibition of harmful fermentation, excellent protein protection, and substantial fiber degradation. Without any microbial enzymes, the mixture of Caragana korshinskii and pumpkin can spontaneously achieve top-quality silage.

[0054] Example 2 This embodiment provides a method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii*, including the following steps: S1. Same as step S1 in Example 1; S2. Preparation of the compound bacterial agent solution: Add 100 mL of sterile water to a sterilized container; add 0.1 g of trehalose and 0.2 g of xylooligosaccharide, stir to dissolve, and form an isotonic protective solution; add 100 mg of Lactobacillus plantarum MTD / 1 (purchased from Ecocool, UK, with a viable count of 1 × 10⁻⁶). 11 CFU / g) and 50mg Lactobacillus bruneri PJB / 1 (purchased from Ecocool, UK, with a live bacteria count of 1×10⁻⁶) were added. 11 Add the lyophilized powder (CFU / g) to the liquid surface, shake well, and let stand at a constant temperature of 20℃ for 25 minutes to obtain the compound bacterial agent solution. S3. Transfer the compound microbial agent solution to the water tank of the electrostatic sprayer, turn on the electrostatic field generator, and start the electrostatic spraying while the mixture is tumbling in the mixer. The nozzle should be 40 cm away from the material to form a uniform atomized band. After spraying, (based on the mixture of lemongrass and pumpkin, the live bacteria content added per kilogram of mixture is 1×10⁻⁶). 11 Lactobacillus plantarum CFU / g 1.0 mg and viable count 1×10 11 After adding 0.5 mg of Lactobacillus bromide (CFU / g), the material should be immediately packed into vacuum-sealed polyethylene plastic bags at a rate of 500 g / bag (3 bags in total). During the filling process, the material should be compacted to remove air from the bags. The plastic bags should be sealed with a vacuum sealing machine to ensure no air leakage and to maintain an anaerobic environment for fermentation. The sealed fermentation bags should be fermented at room temperature (10~20℃) for 60 days to obtain silage (referred to as Caragana korshinskii silage (bacteria)).

[0055] Comparative Example 2 The difference between the method for fermenting and ensiling Caragana korshinskii provided in this comparative example and Example 2 is that no pumpkin is used (i.e. only Caragana korshinskii is used for ensiling), and the resulting ensiling material is denoted as Caragana korshinskii ensiling (bacteria)).

[0056] The silage prepared in Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 were tested for the following indicators: pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen, dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. The test results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0057] Table 2. Core test results of Caragana korshinskii silage and Caragana korshinskii-pumpkin silage, both using compound microbial agents.

[0058] As shown in Table 2, compared with Caragana korshinskii silage (with microorganisms), Caragana korshinskii pumpkin silage (with microorganisms) had a significantly lower pH, a significantly higher lactic acid content, a significantly lower ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen ratio, and a significantly lower amount of fiber components such as neutral detergent fiber. The fermentation quality was significantly better than that of Caragana korshinskii silage alone under the same treatment.

[0059] Example 3 This embodiment provides a method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii*, including the following steps: S1. Same as step S1 in Example 1; S2. Preparation of the complex enzyme preparation solution: 100 mL of citrate buffer with pH 5.5 and 0.15 g of Tween-80 were mixed to obtain a citrate buffer containing Tween-80. Then, 5 g of cellulase (enzyme activity of 100,000 U / g) and 5 g of xylanase (enzyme activity of 100,000 U / g) were dissolved in the citrate buffer containing Tween-80 to obtain the complex enzyme preparation solution. S3. Transfer the compound enzyme preparation solution to the water tank of the electrostatic sprayer, turn on the electrostatic field generator, and start the electrostatic spraying while the mixture is tumbling in the mixer. The nozzle should be 40 cm away from the material to form a uniform atomized band. After spraying (based on the mixture of lepidium and pumpkin, add 250 mg of cellulase with an enzyme activity of 100,000 U / g and 250 mg of xylanase with an enzyme activity of 100,000 U / g per kilogram of the mixture), the material should be immediately packed into vacuum-sealed polyethylene plastic bags in 500 g / bag (3 bags in total). Compact the material during the filling process to remove the air inside the bag. Use a vacuum sealing machine to seal the plastic bag to ensure no air leakage and to ensure an anaerobic environment for fermentation. Ferment the sealed fermentation bags at room temperature (10~20℃) for 60 days to obtain silage (denoted as lepidium pumpkin silage (enzyme)).

[0060] Comparative Example 3 The difference between the method for fermenting and ensiling Caragana korshinskii provided in this comparative example and Example 3 is that no pumpkin is used (i.e. only Caragana korshinskii is used for ensiling), and ensiling material is obtained (denoted as Caragana korshinskii ensiling (enzyme)).

[0061] The silage prepared in Example 3 and Comparative Example 3 were tested for the following indicators: pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen, dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. The test results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0062] Table 3. Core test results of silage from *Caragana korshinskii* and *Caragana korshinskii* and pumpkin, both using compound enzyme preparations.

[0063] As shown in Table 2, compared with Caragana korshinskii silage (enzyme), Caragana korshinskii pumpkin silage (enzyme) has a significantly lower pH, a significantly higher lactic acid content, a significantly lower ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen ratio, and a significantly lower fiber component such as neutral detergent fiber. The fiber degradation effect is significantly better than that of Caragana korshinskii silage alone under the same treatment.

[0064] Example 4 S1. Same as step S1 in Example 1; S2. The preparation of the compound bacterial agent solution is the same as step S2 in Example 2, and the preparation of the compound enzyme preparation solution is the same as step S2 in Example 3; S3. Mix the compound bacterial agent solution and the compound enzyme preparation solution at a volume ratio of 1:5 and then homogenize by ultrasonication (power of 250W, time of 80 seconds) to obtain a uniform suspension. S4. Transfer the suspension to the electrostatic sprayer tank, turn on the electrostatic field generator, and start the electrostatic spraying while the mixture is tumbling in the mixer. The nozzle should be 40 cm away from the material to form a uniform atomized band. Spraying is complete (based on the mixture of lemongrass and pumpkin, the added live bacteria content is 1×10⁻⁶ per kilogram of mixture). 11 Lactobacillus plantarum CFU / g 1.0 mg and viable count 1×10 11 The mixture, containing 0.5 mg of Lactobacillus bromide (CFU / g) and 250 mg of cellulase (100,000 U / g) and xylanase (100,000 U / g) per kilogram, should be immediately packed into vacuum-sealed polyethylene plastic bags at a rate of 500 g / bag (3 bags in total). During packing, the material should be compacted to expel air from the bags. The bags should then be sealed using a vacuum sealer to ensure no air leakage and to maintain an anaerobic environment for fermentation. The sealed bags should be fermented at room temperature (10-20°C) for 60 days to produce silage (referred to as Caragana korshinskii silage (bacteria + enzymes)).

[0065] Comparative Example 4 The difference between the method for fermenting and ensiling *Caragana korshinskii* provided in this comparative example and Example 4 is that: no pumpkin is used (i.e., only *Caragana korshinskii* is used for ensiling), and the resulting silage is denoted as *Caragana korshinskii* silage (bacteria + enzymes) The silage prepared in Example 4 and Comparative Example 4 were tested for the following indicators: pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen, dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. The test results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0066] Table 4. Core detection results of Caragana silage and Caragana squash silage produced by simultaneous use of compound microbial agents and compound enzyme preparations.

[0067] As shown in Table 4, compared with Caragana korshinskii silage (bacteria + enzymes), Caragana korshinskii pumpkin silage (bacteria + enzymes) has significantly higher lactic acid content, significantly lower ammonia nitrogen / total nitrogen ratio, and significantly lower fiber components such as neutral detergent fiber, indicating more thorough fiber degradation and better fermentation quality.

[0068] The present invention can be fully demonstrated through the above embodiments and comparative examples: (1) Mixing Caragana korshinskii and pumpkin at a mass ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1) can significantly improve the quality of silage fermentation. Regardless of whether exogenous bacterial enzymes are added, the mixed silage effect is significantly better than Caragana korshinskii silage alone.

[0069] (2) Without any additives, the mixture of lemon and pumpkin can spontaneously achieve efficient silage and the fermentation quality reaches the premium standard without relying on external additives.

[0070] (3) Exogenous bacterial enzymes can further enhance the nutrient retention and fiber degradation of Ligustrum lucidum-pumpkin silage, with the synergistic effect of bacterial enzyme addition being the best. (4) This method is extremely simple and low-cost, and is suitable for large-scale promotion in pastoral areas and pumpkin producing areas in Northwest China. It can achieve the dual goals of ecological utilization of Caragana korshinskii and resource utilization of substandard pumpkins.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for self-fermenting silage of *Caragana korshinskii*, characterized in that, include: Caragana korshinskii and pumpkin were mixed at a mass ratio of 1:(0.9~1.1) and then fermented to make silage.

2. The method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii* according to claim 1, characterized in that, The selection of Caragana korshinskii: during the dormant period of the vegetation, Caragana korshinskii that are 5 years or older are coppiced and harvested; an average of 3 years is one coppicing and tending cycle, followed by closed management after coppicing; The pumpkins selected are: honey pumpkins at physiological maturity; Preferably, the fresh sample of the physiologically mature honey squash contains 12% to 18% water-soluble carbohydrates and has a naturally attached lactic acid bacteria content of not less than 10%. 6 CFU / g.

3. The method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii* according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The shredded lemongrass is then mixed with pumpkin for fermentation and silage. After shredding, the lemongrass forms filamentous fiber bundles with a length of 2-4 cm and a width of 2-5 mm, and the longitudinal tear rate of the stem is not less than 90%.

4. The method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii* according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The fermentation temperature of the silage is 10~35℃, and the fermentation time is 55~70 days.

5. The method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii* according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The raw materials for the fermented silage also include compound microbial agents. The compound microbial agent includes Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus bruneri. Based on the mixture obtained by mixing lemongrass and pumpkin, the live bacteria content added per kilogram of the mixture is (1×10) 11 )~ (5×10 11 The CFU / g concentration of *Lactobacillus plantarum* was 0.9~1.3 mg, and the viable cell count was (1×10⁻⁶). 11 )~ (5×10 11 0.4~0.7 mg of Lactobacillus bruneri CFU / g.

6. The method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii* according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The raw materials for the fermented silage also include compound enzyme preparations; The compound enzyme preparation includes cellulase and xylanase; Based on the mixture obtained by mixing lemongrass and pumpkin, 200-300 mg of cellulase with an enzyme activity of 80,000-150,000 U / g and 200-300 mg of xylanase with an enzyme activity of 80,000-150,000 U / g are added per kilogram of the mixture.

7. The method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii* according to claim 6, characterized in that, The compound enzyme preparation is mixed with the mixture in the form of a compound enzyme preparation solution, wherein the compound enzyme preparation solution includes Tween-80 and a citrate buffer with a pH of 5 to 5.5; Preferably, the preparation method of the composite enzyme preparation solution includes: mixing a citrate buffer solution with a pH of 5-5.5 and Tween-80 to obtain a citrate buffer solution containing Tween-80, and then dissolving cellulase and xylanase in the citrate buffer solution containing Tween-80 to obtain the composite enzyme preparation solution. Add 0.13~0.20g per 100mL of the citrate buffer solution.

8. The method for self-fermentation silage of *Caragana korshinskii* according to claim 7, characterized in that, The compound microbial agent is mixed with the mixture in the form of a compound microbial agent solution; The compound microbial agent solution or the compound enzyme preparation solution is added by mixing the compound microbial agent solution or the compound enzyme preparation solution with the mixture via electrostatic spraying. The compound microbial agent solution and the compound enzyme preparation solution are added as follows: the compound microbial agent solution and the compound enzyme preparation solution are mixed and ultrasonically homogenized to obtain a uniform suspension, and the suspension is mixed with the mixture by electrostatic spraying.

9. A silage prepared by the self-fermentation silage method of *Caragana korshinskii* as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A type of silage, characterized in that, Includes the silage as described in claim 9.

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