Department of Animal Science, G B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
To optimise conditions for ammonia treatment of unchaffed rice straw 4 levels of moisture (25,35,45 and 55%), an additional source of urease enzyme and shade, 19 stacks of approximately 6 quintal each representing ammonia (urea) treated unchaffed rice straw, a positive and a negative control were prepared. Sampling of stacks at fortnightly intervals begining after 4 weeks of treatment revealed that the in situ DMI) value of treated straw increased significantly (P <0.05) while CP and ammonia content of straw, decreased with increase in moisture content. The treated straw prepared without using any additional urease source and stacks made in open showed significantly (P <0.05) better in situ DMD. The CP and NH -N content of treated straw also followed the similar trend except that the NH -N content of straw prepared with or without urease source did not differ significantly. The in situ DMD values for treated straw were considerably higher than those for -ve conrrol but only marginally lower than those for +ve control. It is concluded that for ammonia (urea) treatment of unchaffed rice straw, 35% moisture is optimum. The stacks could he made in open and there is no need to use any additional source of urease where treated straw is to be used after 3-4 weeks.
