Association of Biological and Chemical Additives on Nutrient Composition, Total Losses, Microbiological and Fermentative Profile of Sugarcane Silage

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a bacterial inoculant and chemical additives on nutrient composition, in vitro degradation, total loss, aerobic stability, microbiological quality, and fermentative profile of sugarcane silage. Treatments were distributed to forty-eight mini-silos in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement: two levels of microbial inoculant (INO, 0 or 4 g/t of fresh sugarcane and three chemical additives (CHE, CaO, NaCl and urea at 10 g/kg on as-is basis). The association of INO and urea had the highest values of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber in vitro degradation. Treatments with inoculant and chemical additives reduced the gas loss (g/kg as-is basis). The association of INO and CHE increased the amounts of lactic acid bacteria. The association of INO and CHE resulted in a synergetic effect to decrease ethanol production and to increase lactic acid production. Inoculant and CHE showed a positive synergetic effect on total losses, dry matter recovery, microbiological profile, and production of ethanol and lactic acid. Treatments containing urea had greater DM in vitro degradation and aerobic stability compared with the other chemical additives. The association of INO and CHE positively affected the chemical composition, in vitro degradation, total losses, aerobic stability, microbiological and fermentative profile of sugarcane silage.