Effect of burning and addition of dehydrated corn cob and straw on sugar cane silage

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of burning and the use of dry additive on the sugar cane silage fermentative pattern. Six treatments were tested: natural or burned sugarcane, associated to three supplementation levels: 0, 50 or 100 g/kg of dehydrated corn grain, cob, and straw (CGCS) based on forage fresh mater. The following response variables were determined in the forage: DM, CP, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN), NDF, ADF, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin concentrations. Considering the fermentative traits, Soluble carbohydrate levels, buffering capacity, pH, ammonia nitrogen and ethanol levels were measured. The CGCS inclusion increased DM concentration and slightly reduced ethanol and N-NH3 levels in silages, but did not affect pH or yeast growth. Burning reduced DM and N-NH3 concentration, as well as increased ethanol levels and yeast growth. Ethanol production in sugarcane silage was not controlled by using dry additive or burning.