FERMENTATION, LOSSES, AND AEROBIC STABILITY OF SUGARCANE SILAGES TREATED WITH CHEMICAL OR BACTERIAL ADDITIVES

ABSTRACT: Utilization of sugarcane Saccharum officinarum L. silage is increasing in Brazil but intensive ethanol production during fermentation reduces forage quality. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of additives on fermentation and aerobic stability of sugarcane silages produced in minisilos. Treatments were (fresh basis): untreated silage (control), urea (5.0 g kg–1), sodium benzoate (1.0 g kg–1), potassium sorbate (0.3 g kg–1), Lactobacillus plantarum (1 ´ 106 cfu g–1), and Lactobacillus buchneri (3.64 ´ 105 cfu g–1). At the 94th day after ensilage, ethanol concentration was lower in urea, benzoate, sorbate and L. buchneri supplemented silages and higher in L. plantarum inoculated silage, as compared to control. Urea and benzoate treated silages showed the highest and L. plantarum treated silage the lowest in vitro dry matter digestibility. Effluent production was higher in the urea treated silage. Inoculation with L. buchneri reduced 50 % ethanol production as compared to control. Urea and L. buchneri reduced yeast count. Aerobic stability was enhanced by L. buchneri and benzoate. Sodium benzoate and L. buchneri were the most promising additives, improving both silage fermentation and aerobic stability; inoculants containing L. plantarum can be deleterious to fermentation and conservation of sugarcan