The Effect of Corn Stalks and <em>Salix psammophila</em> on the Fermentation Quality and Microbial Community of <em>Caragana korshinskii </em>Silage

To expand the utilization of waste from the coppicing of xerophytic shrubs, such as Caragana korshinskii (C. korshinskii). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Salix psammophila (S. psammophila) and corn stalks on C. korshinskii silage. Chop the above three experimental materials into segments (2–3 cm). Three treatments were designed: C. korshinskii with 10% sugar (CK), C. korshinskii mixed with S. psammophila in equal amounts and 10% sugar (CS), and C. korshinskii mixed with corn stalks in equal amounts (CC). Adjust the moisture content to 60% (fresh weight basis), and anaerobically fermented in sealed 50-L silo buckets for 60 days. After silage is finished, test its nutritional components and microbial communities. After 60 days, three groups showed significant differences in ash (ASH), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and organic acid (p &amp;lt; 0.05). CS had the lowest ASH (3.15%), NDF (72.97%), and the highest ADF (58.12%) and WSC (2.27%). CS had the lowest lactic acid and valeric acid content but the highest isobutyric acid content among the treatment groups.CK had the highest CP content, lactic acid, and lactic acid/acetic acid ratio among the treatment groups. There were also differences in bacterial and fungal composition among the treatment groups, but the abundance of Lactobacillaceae was the highest. These findings confirmed that CK exhibits an optimal lactic acid content and dominance by Lactobacillaceae. Corn stalks improved the silage quality of C. korshinskii through intensified lactic acid fermentation, ADF and Acid detergent lignin (ADL) reduction, while S. psammophila increased isobutyric acid and reduced fermentation quality.