Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Tirupati517502, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
Ammoniation of bajra (Pennisetum typhoideum) straw at 4 and 5 per cent urea levels for 20 d at 30 per cent moisture level increased the CP from 5.5 to 12,3 and 12.6 per cent, respectively. Three groups of Nellore ranis (26.40 ± 0.88 kg) were fed untreated, 4 and 5 per cent urea treated bajra straw ad libitum + 150 g concentrate prc-mix. Urea treatment at 4 and 5 per cent levels increased (P > 0.05) the total DM intake of rams from 51 to 57 and 61 g/kgW0.75/d, respectively. Ammoniation through 4 and 5 per cent urea treatment significantly (P < 0.01) increased the digestibilities of CP by 10.66 and 10.72, CF by 11.59 and 11.69 per cent units respectively. There was a significant increase in the digestibilities of NDF, ADF and hemicellulose (P < 0.05), cellulose and permaganate lignin (P < 0.01) and DCP and TDN intake (P < 0.01) of bajra straw through urea treatment. Urea treatment significantly (P < 0.01) increased the N retention and the differences in the N retention of rams ted 4 and 5 per cent urea treated bajra straw based rations were, however, non-significant. Present results revealed that the nutritive value of bajra straw could be effectively improved by 4 pre cent urea treatment for 20 d at a moisture level of 30 per cent.
