Effects of Liquid Ammonia and Urea Treatment on Chemical Compositions and in vitro Digestibility of Triticale Straw

A study was conducted to investigate changes in chemical compositions and in vitro digestibility of Triticale Straw (TS) treated with liquid ammonia and urea. TS chopped approximately 2 cm length. Liquid ammonia and urea were applied to 1000 g DM of chopped TS at rates of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g kg(-1) DM. The chemicals were applied as aqueous solutions, which added 1500 g of water/1000 g of TS DM, thoroughly mixed, stored in plastic containers and kept for 45 days at ambient temperature (22-25 degrees C). Chemical compositions and in vitro digestibility of test materials were determined. The amounts of Crude Protein (CP) and N-NH(3) increased (p<0.05) when, liquid ammonia and urea were applied at higher levels (40 g kg(-1) DM) but decreased Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), however, effect of urea was higher than liquid ammonia. Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) content decreased (p<0.05) significantly only in Urea-treated TS (UTS). UTS had higher in vitro Digestibility of DM (IVDMD), Organic Matter (IVOMD) and OM in DM (IVDOMD) than Liquid ammonia-treated TS (LTS). As a point of digestibility, the rate of 10 in UTS treatments is equivalent to the rate of 30 in LTS treatments. Liquid ammonia and urea can improve characteristics chemical compositions and in vitro digestibility of TS but, urea was better than liquid ammonia.