Nutritional evaluation of sorghum silage forage AGRI 002E in natura and ensiled with additives in the Tropics

This study evaluated the impact of bacterial inoculant and urea on the chemical composition of AGRI 002E forage sorghum silage over different storage periods. Four treatments were tested: control (WS), bacterial inoculant (SBI), urea (US) and both urea and bacterial inoculant (USBI), with samples evaluated after 0, 28, and 56 days of ensiling. Parameters analyzed included organic acid, soluble carbohydrates (SC), condensed tannins (CT), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), lignin, in vitro digestibility (IVD), CP fractions, and total carbohydrate fractions. Results showed increased in DM, OM, total carbohydrates, NFC and digestibility over time, while CT, NDF, ADF, and SC decreased. Urea supplementation notably increased CP and IVDCP, and reduced fiber concentrations compared to the control and bacterial inoculant treatments. Silage stability was achieved after 28 days, but a 56-day period is recommended for optimal fermentation and quality. Urea alone improves digestibility and non-protein nitrogen availability, and combining it with bacterial inoculants may enhance aerobic stability.