Ammonium Hydroxide as an Alternative Alkali Source for Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment of Crop Residues

Changes in chemical composition and in saccodigestibilities in wheat straw and maize stover as affected by different alkalies (NaOH or NH₄OH) for alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) treatment were studied. Both crop residues were treated with 1% H₂O₂ made alkaline with NaOH at 1.5% (T₂), 4.2% (T₃) or NH₄OH at 3% (T₄) level. The straw to AHP ratio was 1:5 In T₂ and 1:2 in T₃ and T₄ treatments. The treatment time at room temperature for T₂ and T₃ was 6 h and 48 h at 70°C for T₄. CP content of wheat straw and maize stover Improved due to ammoniation. The ADF In wheat straw and NDF to both crop residues were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by treatments T₃ and T₄. Treatment T₂ Increased (P<0.05) ADF and NDF due to nutrient concentration resulting from 15–20% dry matter loss. AH treatments solubilized iignin significantly decreasing (P<0.05) the ADL. The extent of rumen degradability of DM, ADF, NDF and cellulose indicated effectiveness of treatment T₂ followed by T₄ and T₃ Thus, NH₄OH as an alkali and AHP treatment was superior to NaOH slnce it enhanced the nitrogen status of crop residues along with cell wall digestibility.