Qualitative parameters of sugarcane silages treated with urea and calcium oxide

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the fermentation parameters, chemical composition and fractionation of carbohydrates of sugarcane silages treated with urea and calcium oxide (CaO). Upon ensiling, the treatments applied to the sugarcane were: 1% urea; 0.5% urea + 0.5% CaO; and 1% CaO, in relation to a control silage, without additive. The chemical additives (urea and CaO) were added at ensiling, in an amount calculated based on the fresh matter (as is). A completely randomized design consisting of four treatments (silages) and nine replicates was adopted. The material was conditioned in PVC mini-silos for five months. At the end of the storage period, silos were weighed again and samples were collected to quantify the losses caused by fermentation, dry matter recovery, pH, and ammonia nitrogen (N-NH 3 ) of the silages and to evaluate the chemical composition and fractionation of carbohydrates. The silage with 1% CaO showed the highest recovery of dry matter, and in terms of carbohydrate fractionation, it showed the highest levels of soluble and potentially soluble carbohydrates. Addition of 1% CaO during ensiling reduces the fermentation losses of sugarcane silages. Key words: Chemical additives, dry matter recovery, ensiling ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros fermentativos, a composição química e o fracionamento de carboidratos das silagens de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com ureia e óxido de cálcio (CaO). Na ensilagem, os tratamentos aplicados à cana foram 1% de ureia; 0,5% de ureia + 0,5% de CaO; e 1% de CaO, em comparação a uma silagem controle, sem aditivo. Os aditivos químicos (ureia e CaO) foram adicionados no momento da ensilagem, em quantidade calculada com base na matéria natural. Utilizouse um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, composto de quatro tratamentos (silagens) e nove repetições. O material foi acondicionado em minissilos de PVC, durante cinco meses. Ao fim do período de armazenamento, foi feita uma nova pesagem e coletadas amostras, para quantificação das perdas decorrentes da fermentação, da recuperação de matéria seca, do pH e do nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH 3 ) das silagens e para avaliação da composição química e do fracionamento de carboidratos. A silagem com 1% de CaO apresentou maior recuperação de matéria seca, e em relação ao fracionamento dos carboidratos apresentou maior teor de carboidratos solúveis e potencialmente solúveis. A adição de 1% de CaO durante a ensilagem reduz as perdas fermentativas de silagens da cana-de-açúcar. Palavras-chave: Aditivos químicos, ensilagem, recuperação de matéria seca

Effects of pearl millet silage ammoniation with urea on carcass and meat quality of lambs

“…() and Martins et al. () investigated and described the use of urea and calcium oxide as alkalinizing chemical additives in the ensiling of sugarcane. According to them, these additives have the potential to improve the nutritional value of the forage, reducing its fibre content and increasing its digestibility, because addition of alkaline agents is related to the action of alkaline hydrolysis.…”

Qualitative parameters of pearl millet silage ammoniated with urea, at different compaction densities

“…The use of urea in the ammoniation of pearl millet did not lead to a reduction of the fibrous fraction of the silages, as observed in other scientific studies (Keskin et al, 2005;Rong et al, 2013). Martins et al (2015) also found an increase in ADF and lignin contents in sugarcane silages treated with urea. These authors attributed this effect to the nonsolubilization of these cell wall components.…”

“…Urea did not prevent losses of these nutrients. Martins et al (2015) also observed a lower NFC content in sugarcane silage with 1% urea, and suggest that Table 3. Chemical composition and fermentation profile of pearl millet silages, at 600 kgm -3 compaction density, treated with urea levels at two evaluation times -opening (0 hour) and exposure to air (72 hours).…”

Growth performance, body composition, carcass traits and meat quality of young Nellore bulls fed freshly cut or ensiled sugar cane

“…Furthermore, chemical treatment with calcium oxide (CaO) may improve the nutritional value of forage by reducing fiber content and increasing digestibility as the addition of alkaline additives is related to the action of alkaline hydrolysis (Romão et al, 2013;Chizzotti et al, 2015;Martins et al, 2015). In this context, feeding cattle in feedlots with freshly cut or ensiled sugar cane may be feasible, especially in sugar cane producing regions.…”