The sugar cane variety Co. 290 is widely distributed in the State of São Paulo. Its juice does not ferment very well because it seems to be deficient in nutrients for the yeast. Comparative tests were carried out to determine the influence of ammonium salts and rice polishings on the alcohol yield when these substances were added to the juice of this variety prior to fermentation. The following conclusions are based on the results of these tests : 1. The juice from plants of the variety Co. 290 is poor in nutrient elements for the yeast. 2. The addition of 0.1 per cent ammonium sulphate or phosphate improves the process of fermentation. 3. The best alcohol yields are obtained when the juice is enriched with 0.1 per cent ammonium sulphate or phosphate, plus rice polishings at the same rate. The rice polishings seem to be active because of their high content in vitamins, mainly vitamin B1.