16S silage maize
Fertilization regulates forage microbial communities, thereby affecting silage metabolism and quality, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, Zea mays L. was treated with four treatments: control (CK, no fertilization), organic fertilizer (M), nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (NPK), and bacterial fertilizer (B). The results showed that B significantly increased stem diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight. After ensiling, M decreased crude protein, lactic acid, acetic acid, increased ammonia nitrogen, neutral detergent fiber, butyric acid, and pH, B increased ammonia nitrogen, NPK increased t water soluble carbohydrates. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics revealed that M and B reduced Lactobacillus and Lactococcus and promoted Agrobacterium and Brevundimonas, enriched related metabolic pathways like phenylalanine metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and altered silage quality. NPK enriched Lactobacillus, activated linoleic acid metabolism, and improved the silage quality. This study elucidated the regulatory mechanisms of microorganisms and metabolites interaction on silage quality, providing a theoretical basis for effective fertilization strategies.