Occurrence of filamentous fungi and mycotoxins in wrapped forages in Sweden and Norway and their relation to chemical composition and management

Abstract

A study was conducted on 124 farms in Sweden and Norway where fungal (all farms) and mycotoxin (100 of the 124 farms) presence was examined in wrapped forage bales. Samples were also analysed for chemical composition, and data on the bale production and storage system on each farm were collected. Fungi, analysed by three common sampling methods, were found in bales from 89% of the visited farms (110 farms). The most frequently isolated fungal species from the bale surface was Penicillium roqueforti. Mycotoxins were present in 39% of the 100 samples analysed. The most common mycotoxins present were enniatin B (14 farms) followed by deoxynivalenol (12 farms). The risk of finding fungi in baled forage samples was higher with odds ratio (OR) of 5.1 when less than eight layers of stretch film were applied, low seal integrity of wrapping (OR 172 at <10 s of seal integrity), higher dry-matter content (OR 1.17-1.56 per % unit DM) and higher concentrations of acetic acid (OR 47.5 per g DM) and ethanol (OR 3.4 per g DM). Mycotoxin presence was not found to be correlated with any of the chemical characteristics of the baled forage, or with any forage production and management factors. A positive correlation was present between total fungal counts and general mycotoxin presence, but not between specific mycotoxins and the toxin-producing fungal species.

Keywords

bales; haylage; hygienic quality; management; mould; silage

Published in

Grass and Forage Science
2019, volume: 74, number: 4, pages: 613-625
Publisher: WILEY

SLU Authors

• Schenck, Jessica

  • Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Müller, Cecilia

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Djurle, Annika

  • Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jensen, Dan Funck

  • Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Spörndly, Rolf

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12453

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/102765