Animal Nutrition Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagai-243122, India.
Online published on 21 January, 2012.
Optimum levels of urea application and treatment periods were determined for the proper ammonification of paddy straw in order to improve its nutritional quality. Urea treatment was attempted at 1-5% level with or without 10% molasses dissolved in 25% water and mixed thoroughly with 250 g chaffed paddy straw. This was packed in air-tight plastic bottles for ammoniation for 1-5 weeks at room temperature (22-25°C).
The CP content of the ammoniated straw increased with the levels of urea treatment and the maximum value of 10.56% was obtained with 4% urea and 10% molasses treatment for 5 weeks. At 5% level of urea treatment with molasses the maximum CP content of the ammoniated straw was obtained at 3 weeks and thereafter no significant improvement was noticed which was comparable with 4% urea treatment for 5 weeks. The CP content of the ammoniated straw was higher when molasses was added in the treatment than when no molasses was used. Increasing levels of urea treatment significantly (P< 0.01) increased the in sacco DM digestibility which was maximum with 5% urea level.
