Evaluation of Urea Treated Anjan (Cenchrus ciliaris) Grass Hay by In Vitro and in sacco Techniques
Abstract
Ammoniation through urea treatment was attempted to improve the nutritional quality of Anjan (Cenchrus ciliaris) grass hay having a CP content of 3.89% on DM basis. Hay was treated with 4% urea solution and incubated for 10, 25 and 20 d at 30, 40 and 50% moisture levels, In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) values were significantly (P<0.01) higher at 40% moisture level irrespective of period of incubation. Extending the period of Incubation beyond 10 d had no added adventage on IVDMD of treated hay.
Urea treatment increased (P<0.01) in sacco DM disappearance of hay as compared to untreated hay. Average in sacco DM diiappearance value waa sigher by 7 and 10% at 40% moisture level in comparison to 30 and 50% levels, respectively. The effective degradable dry matter (EDDM) value increased of from 30.5 to 34.3–35.3% at 40% moisture at atl the incubation Intervals. Results of the present study revealed that optimum conditions for ammoniating Anjan grass hay through 4% urea treatment were 40% moisture and 10d of incubation.
