DIFFERENT TREATMENTS FOR IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF SOME CROP RESIDUES USED IN RUMINANT NUTRITION

Abstract

Different treatments (mechanical, chemical and biological) were conducted to identify the possible methods that could be use for improving the nutritional quality of some crop residues (Wheat straw, Rice straw, Cotton stalks, Corn stalks, Pinnae and Mid rib of Date Palm tree) for ruminants. Chemical composition, cell wall constituents, In Vitro DM and OM digestibility and In Vitro gas production were compared among crop-residues. Seven digestibility trails and nitrogen balance were proceeded on goats fed rations contained 25% of biologically (fungi, yeast and combined fungi and yeast) treated cotton stalks and some rumen liquor and blood serum parameters were determined. Results indicated that biological treatments were better than chemical treatments in improving the utilization of some crop­ residues. Use of biological treatments (specially combined Trichoderma viride and Saccharomyces cereviciae) in goats rations is useful and did not cause any abnormal condition on rumen activity, liver and kidney functions and animal performance as well.