Comparative Effect of Ammoniation with Different N Sources on Fibre Composition, Deliginification and in sacco Digestibility of Wheat Strw

Chaffed wheat straw (2-5 cm, 10% moisture) in lots of 200g each was treated with urea, NH₂OH and urine (to give an added N of 2.3%) for 30,60 and 90d at 4, 23 and 37°C. The treatments resulted in inhibition of mould growth. Urea treated samples at 4°C showed a decline in the CP content with the increase in time. Ammoniation significantly increased the cell solubles, the increase being insignificantly higher at 23 and 37°C. Urine treatment resulted in a significant decline in ADF values irrespective of days or temperature of treatment. The change in hemicellulose and cellulose content was significantly affected by the temperature of treatment. Lignin solubiiisation was significantly higher in urea treated samples. Saponification number was 0.58,0.38,0.33 and 0.47 for control, urea, NH OH and urine treated wheat straw respectively. The average absorbance values at 280nm were 598.7, 930.2, 950.7 and 917.1 for buffer extract and 2189, 1702, 1565 and 1776 for saponified extract for control, NH₄ OH, urea and urine treated samples respectively. The treatments significantly increased in sacco DM digestibility of straw, the average values being 44.14, 58.44, 63.54 and 55.68% for control, NH₄ OH, urea and urine treated samples. The days, temperature and treatment effects were significant. The results indicated that the cleavage of lignin and improvement in DM digestibility of straw due to ammoniation was more effective at higher temperatures and 30d of treatment period was sufficient. The NH₄ OH was better for straw treatment than urea or urine both of which were equally effective.