Chemical composition of wheat straw as influenced by urea and alkali treatments at different moisture levels

Rasool, E.; Gilani, A. H.

doi:1995.8.6.563

Article

Ruminant Nutrition and Forage Utilization

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 1995;8(6): 563-566.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.1995.563 Published online December 1, 1995.

Chemical composition of wheat straw as influenced by urea and alkali treatments at different moisture levels

E. Rasool, A. H. Gilani

Abstract

To improve the nutritive value of wheat straw it as treated with 0, 3, 4 and 5 percent levels of urea, 0 and 4 percent level of alkali at 40, 50 and 60 percent moisture levels and stored at room temperature. Total nitrogen contents of the straw increased significantly, from 0.77 percent with no urea treatment to 0.87, 1.16 and 1.19 percent with 3, 4 and 5 percent urea levels, respectively. Percent retention of nitrogen was 63.73 percent. Alkali treatment at 4 percent level, lowered significantly the crude fibre contents of the straw from 41.86 percent in control to 40.21 percent in the treated straw. Miosture level of 40 percent significantly lowered(p<0.05) the crude fibre contents. Total ash content of straw increased significantly by urea and alkali treatment. Alkali treatment improved significantly the sodium contents also. The results of the study indicated that most beneficial results were obtained with 4 percent urea, 4 percent alkali at 50 percent moisture level.

Keywords: Wheat Straw; Treatment; Urea; Alkali; Moisture