Fermentation losses and aerobic stability of sugar cane silages treated with calcium oxide

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of adding three levels (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0%) of calcium oxide (CaO) on fermentation losses and aerobic stability of sugarcane silages. The experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design in a split-plot scheme with four treatments and three replicates. Calcium oxide addition did not affect dry matter losses during the anaerobic phase. The dry matter percentage increased linearly as calcium oxide percentage increased in the silage. The addition of calcium oxide resulted in higher pH at silo opening. The addition of 1.0 and 2.0% of CaO kept pH and temperature of the silages constant during nine days of air exposure, that result in higher aerobic stability and lower dry matter losses under aerobiosis.