Effects of urea-lime treated rice straw on rumen fermentation efficiency, nutrients digestibility and microbial nitrogen synthesis in swamp buffaloes
This objective of this experiment was to determine effects of urea lime treatment of rice straw on rumen fermentation efficiency and nutrients digestibility in swamp buffaloes. Four rumen fistulated swamp buffaloes with initial weight were 353± 11 kg andwere randomly assigned to 2 treatments (T1 = untreated rice straw, T2 = 2% urea + 2% lime) according to T-test design. All treatments were fed ad libitum intake. Experimental time lasted for 21 days in which feed, feces, urine were collected during last 7 days and rumen fluid, blood were collected at last days for chemical analyzes. The dry matter intake and digestibility were improved significantly by using urea-lime treated rice straw (ULTRS) (P < 0.05). Rumen NH3-N concentration were higher (P < 0.05) as compared with untreated rice straw (RS), while blood urea nitrogen was in normal ranges. The acetic acid concentration was decreased (P < 0.05) while propionic acid concentration and CH4 prodution was increased (P < 0.05), thus acetic acid:propionic acid was subsequently lowered in buffaloes fed with 2% urea + 2% lime treated rice straw. Total viable bacteria, amylolytic, and cellulolytic bacteria were significantly enhanced by urea-lime rice straw treatment. The microbial protein synthesis and efficiency microbial N synthesis also were higher in urea-lime treated rice straw. Based on this study, it could be concluded that 2% urea + 2% lime treated rice straw improved digestibility of nutrients, rumen microbial population, rumen fermentation efficiency and enhanced microbial protein synthesis and efficiency of microbial N synthesis while the CH4 production was lower than untreated rice straw.
