EFFECT OF STAGE OF MATURITY ON THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF

W H O L E - P L A N T S U G A R C A N E P R E S E R V E D A S SI LAGE 1'2

L. Kung, Jr, a and R. W. Stanley 4

University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822

Summary increased research interest in sugarcane as a

Fresh, whole-plant sugarcane harvested at 6-,
9-, 12-, 15- and 24,mo of age showed a signifi-
cant linear increase in in vitro dry matter diges-
tibilities. Unlike fresh sugarcane, ensiled sugar-
cane harvested at comparable maturities de-
creased in in vivo dry matter digestibility (in
sheep) with increasing age. Sugarcane silage was
significantly lower in total digestible nutrients
than corn silage. Sugarcane did not lend it-
self to ensiling because of large losses of dry
matter and high levels of ethonal.
(Key Words: Sugarcane Maturity, Digestibility,
Silage, Ethanol, Volatile Fatty Acids, Lactic
Acid.)
Introduction
The potential of sugarcane (Saccharum
officinarum) as a feedstuff for ruminants in
tropical and subtropical areas has been discussed
by many researchers (Chapman et al., 1964;
Pigden, 1974; Preston, 1974; James, 1975).
Kirk and Crown (1942) reported that sugarcane
has been used as a livestock feed since it was
first cultivated. Early research on the feeding
value of sugarcane for ruminants evolved from
the use of sugarcane by-products such as
bagasse (Kirk et al., 1962; Randel, 1972),
stripcane (Sherrod et al., 1968; Campbell et al,,
1974), tops and leaves (Ferreiro and Peston,
1976; Montpellier and Preston, 1977) and
molasses (Komkris et al., 1965; Campbell et al.,
1970). The discovery that derinded sugarcane is
a high energy feed (James, 1975) led to an
Journal Series No. 2551 of the Hawaii Institute of
Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
a In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the matter. Freshly chopped corn (IFN 3-02-823)
M.S. degree.
3Present address: Dept. Dairy Science, Michigan was ensiled in bag silos similar to those described
State Univ., East Lansing 48824.
4 Dept. of Animal Science.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, Vol. 54, NO. 4, 1982
possible forage crop.
Research in Mexico and the Dominican
Republic (Preston, 1977) has evaluated the
digestion and metabolism of sugarcane-based
diets for ruminants. A major problem with
fresh sugarcane is the daily harvest; sugarcane
sours rapidly and becomes unpalatable if left
unattended after chopping.
Ensiling of sugarcane may solve these
problems. However, knowledge on the feeding
value of ensiled sugarcane is limited and most
studies have been conducted with mature
plants. Our objective of this research was to
determine the nutritive value of sugarcane silage
harvested at various stages of maturity using a
2-yr maturing variety currently used for sugar
production in Hawaii.
Materials and Methods
Forages. Sugarcane (University of Hawaii
variety H59-3775, IFN 2-04-689) was harvested
at 6-, 9-, 12-, 15-and 24-mo of age. This sugar-
cane has been the variety most widely grown
for raw sugar in Hawaii since 1974. All fields
were located on the North Shore of the Island
of Oahu and were under normal management
practices for production of raw sugar. Approxi-
mately 600 kg was harvested at each maturity
and chopped into 1 to 2 cm particles. The
resulting material was then placed in double-
lined plastic bag silos (79 x 122 cm, 6 mil),
evacuated and sealed on 2 consecutive days
with a vacuum of 22 cm of Hg. Bags were
stored in a cool, dry area. Maturities Of 6-, 12-
and 24-mo were first planting crops, while
maturities of 9- and 15- mo were first ratoon
crops.
Corn grown for silage was University of
Hawaii variety 688 harvested at 33% dry
for sugarcane. All forages were ensiled a mini-
mum of 60 d. Upon opening, each bag silo
689
 690 KUNG. JR. AND STANLEY

TABLE 1. PROXIMATE ANALYSES AND IN VITRO DIGESTIBLE

DRY MATTER OF FRESH CHOPPED FORAGES

Freshly chopped Freshly chopped sugarcane-stage of maturity, mo

Component corn plant 6 9 12 15 24

Dry matter, % 33.4 22.3 21.4 29.0 30 4 31.5

As % of DM:
Ash 6.9 7.4 7.8 7.1 8.0 :3.9
Crude protein 5.3 6.4 4.4 3.2 3.4 1.8
Crude fiber 24.6 35.3 32.8 29.2 30.0 27.7
Ether extract 2.2 3.2 2.6 1..6 1.4 1.1
NFE 61.0 47.7 52.4 58.9 57.2 65.5
IVDDM 70.4 52.6 53.5 55.0 58.1 60.3

contents was sampled and samples frozen at clostridium perfringen type C and D entero-
- 2 0 C. toxemia 1 mo before the trial.
Random grab samples of freshly-chopped Cbemical Analyses. Fresh and ensiled forages
forages were collected before ensiling, dried (50 were assayed for crude protein, crude fiber and
C, 96 h) immediately and stored for later ether extract according to AOAC (1975)
analyses. Analyses were made of proximal procedures. Ash was determined after firing for
components (AOAC, 1975), detergent fiber 6 h at 600 C. Determination of acid detergent
components (Goering and Van Soest~ 1970) fiber (ADF), cell wall constituents (CWC),
and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM; silica, permanganate lignin, hemicellu!ose, cellu,
Mellenberger et al., 1970). lose and neutral detergent solubles were deter-
In Vivo Digestion Trial. Feeding value of corn mined according to procedures outlined by
silage and the 6-, 12- and 24-mo sugarcane si- Goering and Van Soest (1970).
lages were determined by an in vivo digestion Silage dry matter was determined by toluene
trial. Twenty-four wether sheep (Merino x distillation (Dewar and McDonald, 1961).
Romeldale) approximately 18 mo of age and Aqueous distillates from toluene distillation
averaging 39 kg body weight were assigned ran- were corrected for organic acids which were
domly to groups of six animals/silage treatment. determined by gas chromatography (Carlsson,
Animals were housed in digestion crates in an 1973). Lactic acid in silage was measured
environmentally controlled, small animal facility according to Barker and Summerson (1941)
with an ambient temperature of 22 (+1) C and and ethanol by gas chromatography. Gross
relative humidity of 50%. Animals were allowed energy was determined on feed and feces with a
a 1-wk changeover from an ad libitum pasture, Parr Adiabatic Bomb Calorimeter. Feces were
pineapple bran (IFN 4-03-722), and alfalfa analyzed for proximal components (AOAC,
pellet diet to their respective silages. An addi- 1975). Minerals were analyzed by X-ray Quan-
tional 2 wk period for rumen adaptation tometer.
followed. Apparent digestibilities of proximal Statistical. Proximal and fiber components
components were determined by total fecal of feeds were not statistically analyzed because
collection (7 d period). During collection, samples analyzed were composited from
animals received 90% of the ad libitum silage individual bag silos.
they consumed during adaptation. Animals The in vivo digestion trial was analyzed as a
were fed 50 g daily of soybean meal (IFN randomized complete block design (Cochran and
5-04-612) during adaptation and collection Cox, 1957). The model used was: Yijk = U + Ti
periods. Percentage apparent digestibility and + Bj + Eijk. Where U = overall mean; Ti = effect
total digestible nutrients (TDN) of the silages of the ith treatment (i = 1-4); Bj = effect of the
were calculated by difference, accounting for jth period (j = 1-2); Eijk = experimental error.
orts and the soybean meal. There were no differences (P>.05) between
All sheep were drenched with Tramisal| periods. Corn silage and sugarcane at 6-, 12-,
(Levamisol hydrochloride) and vaccinated for and 24-mo were main treatment effects. Com-
 NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SUGARCANE SILAGE 691

TABLE 2. DETERGENT FIBER FRACTIONS OF FRESH CORN

AND 6-, 9-. 12-. 15- AND 24-MONTH SUGARCANE
BEFORE AND AFTER ENSILINGa

NDF
Item ADFb Hemicellulose Cellulose Lignin Silica CWC insol, ash NDS

% DMB
Fresh corn 34.3 28.7 25.7 4.5 2.9 63.0 1.6 37.0
Corn silage 30.8 23.4 23.5 4.5 2.8 54.2 1.1 45.8
Fresh cane-6 mo 41.5 26.9 30.9 6.3 3.4 68.3 1.9 31.7
Ensiled cane-6 mo 43.4 23.0 33.0 7.4 2.6 66.4 !.1 33.6
Fresh cane-9 mo 40.8 21.3 29.3 7.3 3.7 62.1 2.3 37.9
Ensiled cane-9 mo 45.6 22.4 34.0 7.7 3.7 68.0 2.1 32.0
Fresh cane-12 mo 38.0 18.8 26.5 7.2 3.2 56.8 1.8 43.2
Ensiled cane-12mo 44.1 21.5 31.8 8.6 3.1 65.6 1.7 34.4
Fresh cane-15 mo 39.4 21.3 27.2 6.8 3.6 60.6 2.1 39.4
Ensiled cane-15 mo 39.0 21.4 30.4 7.1 2.3 60.4 1.3 39.5
Fresh cane-24 mo 34.2 18.4 24.5 7.3 1.4 52.6 1.1 47.4
Ensiled cane-24 mo 44.3 22.3 32.5 9.5 1.7 66.6 .9 33.4

avalues for corn silage and 6-, 12- and 24amo sugarcane silage are averages for composite samples from two
replications of sheep digestion trials. All other values represent mean values for random grab samples.
bDMB: dry matter basis; ADF: acid detergent fiber; CWC: cell wall constituents; NDF insol, ash: neutral
detergent fiber insoluble ash; NDS: neutral detergent solubles.

parison of treatment means was by Scheffe's
(1959) test.
Results and Discussion
Laboratory Analyses of Fresh Forage. Dry
matter content of sugarcane increased with
advaiacing stage of maturity from 22.3% at 6
mo to 31.5% at 24 mo (table 1). A decline in
protein content with maturity from 6.4% at 6
mo to 1.8% at 24 mo was similar to trends
reported for other tropical grasses (Gomide et
al., 1971). The low crude protein content of
the sugarcane was typical of tropical grasses
(Lyttleton, 1973). Crude fiber and ether
extract also decreased with maturity, while
nitrogen free extract (NFE) increased. These
findings are consistent with the data reported
by Sherrod et al. (1968) and Banda and Valdez
(1976) both of whom observed an increase in
NFE and decrease in crude fiber and ether
extract contents of sugarcane with advancing
maturity.
Several researchers have reported an increase
in nutritive value of fresh sugarcane as the plant
matures (Sherrod et al., 1968; Alvarez and
Preston, 1976; Banda and Valdez, 1976;
Ferreiro et al., 1977). If NFE is assumed to be
highly digestible (Schneider and Flatt, 1975),
then the large increase in NFE observed with
maturity would increase IVDDM. However,
table 1 denotes only a modest increase in
IVDDM over the 18-mo harvesting period (52.6
to 60.3%). This apparent discrepancy may be
explained by inclusion in the NFE fraction of
some of the least digestible plant components
such as xylans and lignin (Van Soest, 1965).
The small increase in IVDDM observed is
consistent with findings of Pate (1977) who
reported an increase from 55.5 to 60.6% in
digestible organic matter in fresh sugarcane over
a 336 d period. Pate (1977) also reported that
the large increase in NFE with advancing
maturity did not parallel the small increase in
digestible organic matter, and he attributed this
finding to a decrease in digestibility of CWC
which offset the increase in digestibility of the
NFE fraction. Banda and Valdez (1976) hy-
pothesized that the increase in IVDDM with
advancing maturity of fresh sugarcane was due
to an increase in sugar content diluting the
structural CWC. In the present study CWC
decreased with maturity, while soluble cell
contents increased.
Various fiber fractions for the forages are
presented in table 2. Freshly chopped corn
plant contained 63.0% CWC, while CWC for
692 KUNG, JR. AND STANLEY

TABLE 3. MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SUGARCANE SILAGE AND CORN SILAGE

Stage of
Silage maturity P Ca K Mg Na Fe Cu Mn Zn

% DMB ~ ppmDMB
Corn silage .30 .20 .99 .29 1,928 239 3 29 44
Sugarcane silage 6 mo .12 .17 1.18 .28 213 497 4 78 35
9 mo .13 .17 1.44 .14 400 127 3 51 25
12 mo .14 .14 1.79 .15 204 247 4 26 28
1 5 mo .14 .13 2.02 .17 443 498 4 48 24
24 mo .11 .20 .97 .14 220 3 31 35

fresh sugarcane decreased from 68.3% at 6 m o
to 52.6% at 24 mo. Accordingly, A D F , hemi-
cellulose and cellulose decreased with m a t u r i t y .
Lignin values did n o t vary significantly a m o n g
sugarcane maturities.
Mineral composition of sugarcane silages did
not vary among stages of maturity (table 3). Ca,
Na, and P content of sugarcane was lower
than Ca, Na and P in corn silage while K was
higher.
Characteristics of Ensiled Forages. Fermen-
tation characteristics indicated corn silage of
g o o d quality (table 4) with a final pH of 3.76
and lactic acid and acetic acid c o n t e n t s were
4.3% and 1.9%, respectively. Butyric acid
(<.05%) and alcohol (<.76%) were also deter-
mined. Freshly chopped corn contained 33.37%
dry matter by analysis and corn silage, 33.07%
dry m a t t e r (table 5). O t h e r p r o x i m a t e c o m p o -
nents were also similar w h e n fresh and ensiled
corn plant were compared.
Ensiling caused a decrease in the percentage
dry m a t t e r o f sugarcane of all maturities. Dry
m a t t e r losses resulting f r o m ensiling of 15- and
24-mo harvests were 29% of the original ma-
terial. Since the ensiled material was k e p t in
sealed bag silos, seepage losses were minimal
and the dry m a t t e r losses m a y have been due to
the conversion of sugars to ethanol and CO2 by
yeast. CWC tended to in~.~ease in cases of all
maturities as a result of. e nsiling. Since A D F ,
lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose are part o f

TABLE 4. FERMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS AND GROSS ENERGY OF

CORN SILAGE AND WHOLE'PLANT SUGARCANE SILAGE

Gross energy, Acetic Butyric Lactic

Item pH kcal/g DM acid acid acid Alcohol

% DMB
Corn silage a 3.76 4.736 1.91 trace b 4.30 .76
Sugarcane a
silage, 6 mo 3.52 4.918 1.50 .43 5.62 7.50
Sugarcane
silage, 9 mo 3.68 .87 trace 5.35 9.53
Sugarcane a
silage, 12 mo 3.62 4.784 1.88 trace 5.65 15.45
Sugarcane
silage, 15 mo 3.57 2.26 trace 4.33 13.70
Sugarcane a
silage, 24 mo 3.59 4.618 1.40 trace 2.82 17.52

aForages utilized in digestion trial.

bLess than .05%.
 NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SUGARCANE SILAGE 693

TABLE 5. PROXIMATE ANALYSES OF FRESH CORN AND 6~, 9-, 12-, 15-
AND 24-MONTH SUGARCANE BEFORE AND AFTER ENSILINGa

Dry Crude El:her Crude

Item matter, 96 Ash protein extract fiber NFE

% DMB
Fresh corn 3 3.37 6.90 5.38 2.! 8 24.63 60.91
Ensiled corn 33.07 6.69 5.74 2,79 24.24 60.56
Fresh sugarcane-6 mo 22.29 7.43 6.35 3.15 35.31 47.76
Ensiled sugarcane-6 mo 18.71 6.12 4.44 3,27 35.97 50.20
Fresh sugarcane-9 mo 21.45 7.76 4.42 2,64 32.77 52.41
Ensiled sugarcane-9 mo 17.92 7.88 4.25 1.72 35.21 50.94
Fresh sugarcane-12 mo 29.02 7.06 3.23 1.60 29.15 58.96
Ensiled sugarcane--12 mo 20.41 7.37 3.54 3,!0 34.52 51.48
Fresh sugarcane-15 mo 30.39 7.98 3.39 1.35 29.95 58.96
Ensiled sugarcane--15 mo 24.10 6.30 3.96 1,35 31.54 56.85
Fresh sugarcane - 2 4 mo 31.50 3.94 1.79 1, ]~3 27.66 65.48
Ensiled sugarcane-24 mo 22.35 4.30 2.22 1,57 36,30 55.60

aValues for corn silage and 6-, 12- and 24-mo sugarcane silages are averages for composite samples from two
replications of sheep digestion trials. All other values represent mean values for random grab sample.

the CWC fraction, these components were also
increased. These increases (percentage of total
dry matter) were probably attributable to losses
in soluble cell contents.
In contrast to many tropical grasses, sugar-
cane has an abundance of soluble carbohydrates
available for fermentation. Sucrose, the major
carbohydrate, is rapidly hydrolyzed to the
monomers glucose and fructose during ensiling.
Preston et al. (1976) reported a predominant
yeast microflora that was responsible for the
conversion of sugars to alcohol in sugarcane.
McDonald et al. (1973) reported that the theo-
retical dry matter recovery from this fermenta-
tion was 51%. This inefficient fermentation
pathway partially explains why sugarcane
material does not preserve well despite a high
initial sugar content.
Preston (1977) and Gonzales and MacLeod
(1976) have reported significant amounts of
ethanol (5.51% of the dry matter) in sugarcane
silages presumably as a consequence of yeast
fermentation. In our study, extremely high
levels of ethanol were detected upon opening of
sugarcane silages. Laboratory analyses confirmed
these findings. Ethanol content increased
linearly with maturity from 7.5% at 6 mo to
17.5% at 24 mo (table 4). The effect of high
levels of alcohol on animal performance was
not determined in this trial and research on this
problem is limited and inconclusive.
A high level of butyric acid (.43%) was de-
tected in silage made from 6-mo sugarcane. The
high level of this acid at this stage of maturity
would suggest a clostridial fermentation (Whit-
tenbury et al., 1967) and might explain the
large losses in c ~ d e protein observed in this
study (table 7). Lactic acid concentration and
pH would suggest~a good fermentation. How-
ever, the dry matter of 6 mo sugarcane at
ensiling was low (22%), which would allow
clostridial metabolism.
Lactic acid content decreased after 12 mo,
while alcohol increased. This decrease in lactic
acid, coupled with an increase in ethanol,
suggests competition between yeasts and
bacteria for fermentable substrate. Acetic acid
concentration of sugarcane silages ranged from
.87% at 9 mo to 2.26% at 15 mo.
In Vivo Silage Digestibility. In vivo digesti-
bilities of sugarcane harvested at 6-, 12- and
24-mo of maturity and corn silage are presented
in table 6.
Corn silage was superior to all maturities of
sugarcane silage studied. The nutritional superi-
ority was reflected by higher (P<.05) TDN, di-
gestible energy and digestibility of proximate
silage components. Apparent digestibilities of
silage components and TDN decreased (P<.05)
with advancing maturity of sugarcane silage. It
appears that unlike fresh sugarcane, sugarcane
silage decreased in nutritive value with advanc-
 694 KUNG. JR. AND STANLEY

TABLE 6. APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY AND TDN OF SILAGE COMPONENTS

WHEN SHEEP WERE FED AT 90% OF AD LIBITUM INTAKE

Corn Sugarcane silage

I tern silage SD a 6 mo SD 12 m o SD 24 m o SD

% apparent digestibility
DM (complete diet) 63.3 c .87 54.9 d 3.31 55.0 d 2.78 50.0 d 3.87
DM (silage) 61.4 c .87 49.5 d 4.49 47.3 d 1.97 41.4 e 3.46
Protein 31.7 e .45 23.6 c 9.51 -4.9 c 23.45 -85.8 d 33.05
Fiber 55.6 c 2.75 51.7 cd 5.85 47.9 bd 3.24 41.0 e 1.74
Ether ext. 76.6 c 4.04 76.5 c 3.55 78.2 c 4.87 58.1 d 4.70
NFE 69.6 c 2.12 52.4 d 3.55 51.8 d 1.40 47.4 d 5.38
Energy 67.5 c .99 57.9 d 3.77 55.5 d 2.74 49.4 e 2.84

TDN 62.3 c 1.25 51.6 d 4.06 48.1 d 1.94 41.5 e 3.46

DE kcal/g 3.200 c .11 2.832 d .25 2.797 d .12 2.285 e .15

aSD = standard deviation.

bAverage for five animals, all other means are averages for six animals.
c'd'eMeans in the same row bearing unlike superscripts differ (P<.05).

ing m a t u r i t y . A m o n g s u g a r c a n e silages, t h e r e Silage dry m a t t e r c o n s u m p t i o n a n d daily N

was little d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e 6- a n d 1 2 - m o
m a t u r i t i e s . However, 2 4 - m o silage was o f l o w e r
f e e d i n g ( P < . 0 5 ) value t h a n t h e 6- or 1 2 - m o
silage.
A p p a r e n t digestibility of c r u d e p r o t e i n
varied t r e m e n d o u s l y a m o n g animals w i t h i n
t r e a t m e n t s . T h e r e was a significant decrease in
p r o t e i n digestibility o f s u g a r c a n e silage w i t h
increasing m a t u r i t y . Negative values for 12- a n d
24-mo silages m a y be e x p l a i n e d b y t h e
very l o w p r o t e i n c o n t e n t o f t h e s e feeds com-
pared with the endogenous N content of the
feces,
r e t e n t i o n are p r e s e n t e d in table 7. S h e e p fed
c o r n silage c o n s u m e d m o r e ( P < . 0 5 ) d r y m a t t e r
t h a n s h e e p fed sugarcane silages. A l t h o u g h n o
significant differences existed among animals
fed t h e various sugarcane m a t u r i t i e s , c o n s u m p -
t i o n o f 6-too sugarcane silage t e n d e d t o be
h i g h e r t h a n t h a t of t h e 12- or 2 4 - m o silage. T h e
negative N r e t e n t i o n values i n d i c a t e d t h a t
p r o t e i n in all diets was n o t a d e q u a t e t o m a i n t a i n
b o d y n i t r o g e n e q u i l i b r i u m . S h e e p fed 6 - a n d
1 2 - m o s u g a r c a n e silages were in a g r e a t e r
negative N b a l a n c e t h a n t h o s e fed c o r n silage
( P < . 0 5 ) . T h o s e f e d 2 4 - m o s u g a r c a n e silage were

TABLE 7. CONSUMED (GRAMS/KILOGRAM BODY WEIGHT) AND

DALLY NITROGEN RETENTION OF SHEEP FED SILAGES AT
90% OF AD LIBITUM INTAKE

Corn Whole-plant sugarcane silage

Item silage SD c 6 mo SD 12 mo SD 24 mo SD

Dry matter consumed,

g/kg body weight 17.53 a 2.42 9.31 b 1.70 6.12 b 1.07 6.35 b 1.64
Daily nitrogen retention, g --.74 a .67 -2.15 b .48 --2.13 b .33 - 1 . 5 4 ab .60

a'bMeans in the same row bearing unlike superscripts differ (P<.05).

cSD = standard deviation.
 NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SUGARCANE SILAGE
i n t e r m e d i a t e in N b a l a n c e a n d n o t significantly
different from either extreme.
Conclusion
T h e increase in n u t r i t i v e value o f fresh
s u g a r c a n e w i t h increasing m a t u r i t y was con-
f i r m e d b y c h e m i c a l a n d in v i t r o l a b o r a t o r y
analyses. A l t h o u g h silage n u t r i t i v e value is o f t e n
d e p e n d e n t o n its original f e e d i n g value, this was
n o t t h e case f o r sugarcane. T o t a l digestible
n u t r i e n t s f o r s u g a r c a n e silage d e c r e a s e d w i t h
increasing m a t u r i t y , p r o b a b l y because o f t h e
c o n v e r s i o n o f sugars t o e t h a n o l b y yeast. Palata-
bility a p p e a r e d to b e greater f o r t h e y o u n g e r
m a t u r i t i e s o f s u g a r c a n e silage. Dry m a t t e r
c o n s u m p t i o n of sugarcane silages was signifi-
c a n t l y l o w e r t h a n t h a t o f c o r n silage.
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