Effect of Urea Treatment on Chemical Composition mill In-Vitro Organic Matter Disappearance of Some Poor Quality Roughage

Abstract

The Effect of urea (3% and 5% on DM basis) on the quality of five roughages were studied; rice straw, wheat straw, corn cobs, cotton stalks and bagasse. Samples of 1GU g each were sprayed with 3% or 5% (w/w) urea solution, and stored in sealed polyethelene bags for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks at room temperature. Total-N, nou-NH3-N, fiber constituents and 1VOMD of urea treated samples were significantly ( P *< 0.01) affected by type of roughage. Crude fiber, total-N and NH3-N were increased ( P < 0.01) as urea level increased. Treatment period length did not significantly influence either OM , CP, total-N,NH3-N, hemicellulose, ADL, gross energy or IVOMD of the treated roughages. High negative correlation was calculated between NFE and total-N (r «= — 0.85) , CF (r = — 0.67), hemicellulose (r ~ — 0.61) and ADL (r = — 0.77 ). However, total-N was positively correlated with CF (r = 0.G5 ) , Hemicellulose (r = 0.G5 ) and ADI (r = 0.67).