CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND IN SITU EVALUATION OF FRESH AND ENSILED SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum)

Abstract

This study evaluated chemical composition and in situ degradability of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and ruminal pH of fresh (FSC) and ensiled (SCS) sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) forage diets. In situ digestibility was determined using the nylon bag technique with four cows fitted with a rumen cannula. Cows were fed with fresh or ensiled sugar cane and supplemented with 1 kg of commercial dairy concentrate (18% CP). Ground sample (5g) for each sugar cane (FSC, and SCS) were incubated in rumen for 0, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. Treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design with six replicates. ESC showed significant changes (P<0.05) in DM, ADF, NDF and ash.  In situ digestibility of dry matter (ISDDM, %) was higher (P<0.05) for FCS in most incubation periods with respect to SCS, except at 24 h of incubation in which no difference (P>0.05) was noted. In situ digestibility of organic matter (ISDOM, %) was higher (P<0.05) for FCS at incubation periods of 8, 36, 48 and 96 h; however at 24 h of incubation was higher (P<0.05) in SCS. The ISDOM was similar (P>0.05) at 12 and 76 h of incubation. The ruminal pH showed no differences (P>0.05) between treatments. It is concluded that the silage of sugar cane is an alternative to provide forage in the season of low growth and quality of the grass.