Author(s): PEDROSO, A. de F.; ESTEVES, S. N.; BARIONI JUNIOR, W.; SOUZA, G. B. de

Summary: The aim of this study was the indication of an additive for the ensilage of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). In a laboratory trial, nine treatments were applied (g of additive/kg of fresh forage - FF) to the sugarcane (RB867515), before ensiling in minisilos (15 x 30 cm PVC tubes) during 78 days: untreated; urea (5) + sodium benzoate (0.5); urea (7.5) + benzoate (0.5); urea (5) + benzoate (0.75); urea (7.5) + benzoate (0.75); sodium propionate (1, 2 and 4); calcium hydroxide (10). Urea + benzoate in the lowest doses, propionate in the higher concentration and calcium hydroxide were selected, considering the ethanol content (26.5, 27.2 and 7.4 g/kg DM, respectively), total DM loss (88, 46 and 58 g/kg DM, respectively) and digestibility (541, 496 and 516 g/kg DM, respectively) of the silages. Silages treated with these doses of additives and the untreated silage (80 d of storage) were fed (nine + seven d) to 16 castrated male sheep (Santa Inês) housed in metabolic cages. The silage with calcium hydroxide presented coefficients of apparent digestibility of DM (0.44), of NDF (0.4) and DM intake (20 g/kg live weight) in the higher levels. Calcium hydroxide was superior to propionate and urea + benzoate, considering alcoholic fermentation control and reduction of losses in the silage and the forage?s nutritional value.

Publication year: 2017

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Southeastern Livestock

Keywords: Benzoate, alcoholic fermentation, calcium hydroxide