Department of Feed and Fodder Technology, College of Veterinary Science, A.P. Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, India
Online published on 20 January, 2012.
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) straw chopped to 0.5 to 1 cm size and adjusted at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 per cent moisture levels was treated with anhydrous ammonia at 4 per cent (w/w) level on DM basis in polythene bags and stored for 2,4 and 6 weeks at ambient temperature to study the effect of moisture content and treatment time on the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of DM and cell wall constituents (CWC). Ammoniation increased CP content by 58 to 100 per cent with a corresponding decrease in NFE in all samples but had no effect on ADF and cellulose contents. NDF and hemieellulose contents decreased as the moisture level and time of treatment increased. N retention was significantly (P < 0.01) increased by moisture level as well as time of treatment. 40 and SO per cent moisture levels and 6 weeks storage period showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher digestibilities of DM and CWC than the other treatment groups suggesting optimum level of treatment for sorghum straw at ambient temperature.
