The values of dry matter (DM), pH, amoniacal nitrogen/total nitrogen (N-NH3/NT), organic acids, and ethanol of sugar cane silages were determined using a randomized blocks design. The treatment were: no addtitive (control); 0.5% urea (U); 0.5% zeolite (Z); 0.5% urea plus 0.5% zeolite (U+Z); Bio Max® (IBB), and Silobac® (IBS). Silages were analyzed on the 56th day after ensiling. The U and U+Z treatments showed high latic acid concentrations in relation to control, respectively 8.9 and 4.7g%. The average ethanol contents of the treated silages were similar to control, respectively 12.4 and 12.9g%, suggesting no reduction of the alcoholic fermentation process in treated materials. Additives used in this experiment did not enhance the qualitative parameters of the silages except for urea treated silages. It was concluded that the beneficial effect of urea on the quality of the sugar cane silages in the conditions of this experiment is limited, not suppressing the occurrence of the alcoholic fermentation process in the material.
silage; sugarcane; additives
