{
  "abstract": "Introduction: The objective was to evaluate the effect of plant-derived additives from oranges ( Citrus × sinensis ) and industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) on the composition and characteristics of direct-cut alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) silage.\n\nMaterials and methods: A 2 nd cutting of Ameristand 433T RR alfalfa was ensiled in two groups: unamended or 20 mL DI water added (WA). Each group had three treatments with two application rates each:: T1 – hemp crude oil extract (2 or 4 g kg ⁻¹ ), T2 – 2mm ground hemp hurd (5 or 10 g kg ⁻¹ ), and T3 – freeze-dried orange powder (40 or 60 g kg ⁻¹ ). The treated or control (unamended or WA; a subset was retained for pre-ensiling compositional analysis) material (~ 120 g bag ⁻¹ ) was sealed in vacuum bags and ensiled at 25 °C over 40 days. Post-ensiling, two sub samples were taken for spore-forming bacteria counts and fermentation analysis. The remainder of the post-ensiled material underwent compositional analysis.\n\nResults and discussion: The results indicate that addition of the freeze-dried orange powder facilitated a reduction in proteolysis, marked by a low pH and decreased ammonia. However, there were limited differences in lactic and acetic acids produced across the conditions. Propionic and butyric acids were consistently below the limits of quantification (< 1.0 mM). Addition of orange powder, particularly at 60 g kg ⁻¹ , increased % DM but lowered % CP. There were inter-treatment variabilities, however the hemp treatments did not have a significant impact on silage quality. Additionally, there were no differences in spore-forming bacteria counts regardless of condition or treatment.\n\nConclusion: High-moisture alfalfa is known to preserve poorly due to its high buffering capacity and low water-soluble carbohydrate content limiting the necessary rapid reduction in pH. Collectively, the data suggests that the use of freeze-dried orange powder, but not hemp crude oil or ground hurd, in direct-cut alfalfa appears to retain silage quality within an acceptable range for high-moisture legume silages.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Forage-Animal Production Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service",
    "Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky",
    "Kentucky Tobacco Research & Development Center, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jourdan E. Lakes"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Gene L. Olson"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Ying Wu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Huihua Ji"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "S. Ray Smith"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Michael D. Flythe"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cz3k7wf7qjz47.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpls.2026.1973950",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "cz3k7wf7qjz47",
  "issns": [
    "1664-462X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1973950/full",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1102|Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224114725",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1973950/pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-28",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cz3k7wf7qjz47.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:25Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fpls.2026.1973950",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1973950/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1102|Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology",
      "subfield": "plant-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "High-moisture alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage and the impact of alternative agricultural additives: industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and freeze-dried orange powder (Citrus × sinensis)",
  "title_text": "High-moisture alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage and the impact of alternative agricultural additives: industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and freeze-dried orange powder (Citrus × sinensis)",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:25Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cz3k7wf7qjz47",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Plant Science",
  "versions": []
}