Abstract: When developing the compound microbial additives for improving the quality and nutrition of silage, the antagonistic patterns between the different microbes should be given priority for obtaining the best combining effect. In this study, the regular agar plug diffusion method and cup-plate method were applied separately for fungous and bacterial antagonism detection with 1/2 combination, and only the weak antagonism between Candida utilis and Aspergillus niger was observed. Except for the above result, the antagonisms between Bacillus subtilis and Candida utilis, Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger were also detected by using full combination spotting method. The antagonism was also identified with microscope observation of the contact region between Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger. The antagonistic detection results of the 6 species of microbes indicated that lactic acid bacteria were easy to combine with other tested microbes as no significant antagonism. Candida utilis was antagonistic with Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger, therefore, it could combine with lactic acid bacteria and Trichoderma viride. Bacillus subtilis or Aspergillus niger could individually combine with lactic acid bacteria. In conclusion, compared with 1/2 combination-based agar plug diffusion method and cup-plate method, full combination spotting method has the advantages of convenient operation, complete interaction, uneasy contamination, and comprehensive information.

Key words: antagonism, full combination spotting method, silage fermentation, microbial strain