• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of slow-released nitrogen fertilizer(SRNF) on the growth and yield of rice. SRNF produced from wasted paper was applied to a clay loam paddy field comparing to urea fertilized field and only P-and K-fertilized field. Some agronomic components like as growth development and yield component were observed and physico-chemical properties of the soils were analyzed. Plant height and tiller numbers per hill showed higher in rice plant treated with SRNF than in one treated with urea at the early grow stage whereas they appeared to be all much the same at the end of growth stage. While the chlorophyll content in SRNF-treated rice shoot was higher than in urea-treated one, the photosynthetic activity in urea-treated rice shoot was slightly higher than in SRNF-treated rice. In harvested grain, the nitrogen content was higher than in SRNF treated rice than in urea treated rice, but in straws the content was less. At the harvesting stage, nitrogen uptake in grains was about 4% higher in SRNF-treated rice than in urea treated rice whereas in straws rather 20% lower. The N efficiency in SRNF treated rice was lower than in urea treated rice. In the soils treated with SRNF, pH, organic matter and phosphorus were higher than in the soils treated with urea. Total N content in SRNF treated soil was lower after experiment than in urea treated soil.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.522-527
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• 2002

The experiment was conducted for a period of 56 days with twelve Bangladeshi bull calves of average body weight of $127.20{\pm}11.34$ kg. The calves were divided into 3 groups having 4 animals in each. The animals were fed urea-treated rice straw designated as A) 4% urea-treated rice straw, B) 4% urea+4% soybean-treated rice straw and C) 4% urea+6% soybean-treated rice straw. In addition, all the animals were supplied 2 kg green grass, 350 g Til-oil-cake and 100 g common salt per 100 kg body weight of animals. Straw was treated with 4% urea solution and soybean meal at 4 and 6% were added to treated straw and kept for 48 h in double layer polythene bags under anaerobic condition. Urea treatment improved crude protein (CP) content of rice straw from 2.68 to 8.70% and it was further increased by 10.74 and 12.12% with the addition of 4 and 6% soybean meal. Dry matter (DM) intake (kg) was higher (p<0.05) in C (4.2) followed by B (4.1) and A (4.0). Crude protein intake was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group B and C than group A. Total live weight gains were 20.2, 24.8 and 25.6 kg for calves of group A, B and C respectively (p<0.01). The addition of soybean meal to treated rice straw did not affect the coefficients of digestibility of DM, OM, EE and NFE. However, CP and CF digestibility were significantly higher in group B and C (p<0.05). The values for digestible crude protein (DCP), digestible ether extract (DEE), digestible nitrogen free extract (DNFE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in diet C and B in comparison to diet A, but there were no significant difference in digestible organic matter (DOM) and digestible crude fibre (DCF) value among the groups. It may be concluded that 4% urea treated rice straw can be fed to growing bull calves with 2 kg green grass and a small quantity of concentrate without any adverse effect on feed intake and growth. Moreover, soybean meal at 4 and 6% can be added to urea treated rice straw at the time of treatment for rapid hydrolyzing of urea, which resulted an improvement in nutrient digestibility and better utilization of rice straw for growth of growing bull calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.368-373
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects on the composition and rumen degradation in sacco of rice straw treated with animal urine (1 l of 2.9 g N/kg DM straw) and urea plus calcium hydroxide (2% urea plus 0.5% $Ca(OH)_2$/kg DM straw) as a cheap and relatively safe alternative for ammonia (3% ammonia solution/kg DM straw). Mold occurred in urine treated straw, but other treatments were apparently mold-free. All treatments significantly (p<0.05) increased CP content in the straw compared with untreated one. Ammonia-treated straw contained CP at about twice that in urine or urea-calcium hydroxide treated straw. NDF and hemicellulose contents decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all treatments, while ADF and cellulose showed no differences compared with untreated straw. The degradable fraction of DM, CP, NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose was significantly (p<0.05) increased for ammonia and urea-calcium hydroxide treatments than for urine treated or untreated straw except for CP of urine treated straw. Chemical treatment of rice straw increased the readily degradable fraction of CP, while it decreased the slowly degradable fraction for urine or urea-calcium hydroxide treated rice straw. The degradation rate of hemicellulose was significantly (p<0.05) increased for ammonia and urea-calcium hydroxide treatments compared to urine treated or untreated straw. However, no effect on cellulose degradation rate was found by any of the treatments. There was no improvement in the degradation kinetics caused by the urine treatment despite the improvement of the chemical composition. Although the improvement in rumen degradability was less in the urea-calcium hydroxide treatment than in the ammonia treatment, its use may be more desirable because it is less expensive to obtain, less hazardous nature, and readily available. For further improvement it is necessary to investigate the supplementation of slowly degradable nitrogen to ureacalcium hydroxide treated rice straw diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1295-1303
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different physical forms and urea treatment of rice straw on feed intake, rumen fermentation, and milk production. Four, multiparous Holstein crossbred dairy cows in mid-lactation with initial body weight (BW) of $409{\pm}20kg$ were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were as follows: untreated, long form rice straw (LRS), urea-treated (5%), long form rice straw (5% ULRS), urea-treated (2.5%), long form rice straw (2.5% ULRS) and urea-treated (2.5%), chopped (4 cm) rice straw (2.5% UCRS). Cows were fed with concentrate diets at a ratio of concentrate to milk yield of 1:2 and rice straw was fed ad libitum. The findings revealed significant improvements in total DM intake and digestibility by using long and short forms of urea-treated rice straw (p<0.05). Ruminal pH was not altered among all treatments (p>0.05), whereas ruminal $NH_3$-N, BUN and MUN were found to be increased (p<0.01) by urea-treated rice straw as compared with untreated rice straw. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) concentrations especially those of acetic acid were decreased (p<0.05) and those of propionic acid were increased (p<0.05), thus acetic acid:propionic acid was subsequently lowered (p<0.05) in cows fed with long or short forms of urea-treated rice straw. The 2.5% ULRS and 2.5% UCRS had greater microbial protein synthesis and was greatest when cows were fed with 5% ULRS. The urea-treated rice straw fed groups had increased milk yield (p<0.05), while lower feed cost and greater economic return was in the 2.5% ULRS and 2.5% UCRS (p<0.01). From these results, it could be concluded that 2.5% ULRS could replace 5% ULRS used as a roughage source to maintain feed intake, rumen fermentation, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, milk production and economical return in mid-lactating dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1200-1204
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• 1999

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of urea treatment of rice and wheat straw on feed intake, dry matter (DM) digestibility and milk yield of lactation buffaloes in their late lactation under farmers' management conditions in the western hills of Nepal during 1995 and 1997. Dry matter intake (DMI) from urea treated rice and wheat straw was not improved significantly (p<0.05) nor the total DMI of the lactating buffaloes was improved significantly. However, feeding urea treated rice straw increased straw DMI by 14.2% and total DMI by 10.63% units over the untreated rice straw. Similarly, the increase in straw and total DMI were 20.18 and 17.40% units over the untreated wheat straw fed animals. Although there was no significant effect of urea treatment of both straw on DM digestibility, it was higher for treated than untreated straw at all locations. An overall increment of 18.1% units for rice straw and 13.3% units for wheat straw was observed. There was a significant effect (p<0.01) of feeding urea treated rice and wheat straw on the milk yield of lactating buffaloes during late lactation under farmers conditions. Post experiment milk yield was also significantly (p<0.05) higher for the animals fed treated straw in both the experiments. Buffalo milk yield was also significantly affected by breed (p<0.01), location (p<0.01) and parity (p<0.01) of the animals. General response of the farmers about the technology and their observed effect on animal performance was also very positive.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.481-486
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• 1994

The effect of neutralization of urea-treated rice straw with sulfuric acid was investigated. Long-cut (15-20 cm) and short-cut (2-3 cm) rice straw were treated with 6% urea for 21 days, and the treated straw was mixed with an acid-molasses solution to neutralize free ammonia and kept airtightly in a plastic bag for 24 hours. The neutralized and non-neutralized straw were dried and subjected to chemical analysis and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility determination. The in vitro DM digestibility as well as crude protein (CP) content were remarkably improved by neutralization. Short-cutting of the straw before treatment gave a better result than the long-cut samples. Neutralization with sulfuric acid also affected the chemical composition and increased sulfur content of samples. The CP thus fixed by neutralization was proven to be kept stable for 3 months, and in vitro DM digestibility was not affected by the storing period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.201-208
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• 1988

Fifty-six lactating Surti buffaloes, fed rice straw, were allocated to seven treatment groups as follows: 1. Straw supplemented with 2% urea (SS) + 1.5kg rice bran (RB) 2. Straw treated with 4% urea in an open stack (TS open) 3. TS open + 1.5 kg RB 4. TS open + 3.0 kg RB 5. TS open + 1.5 kg RB + 3.0 kg Gliricidia (Gl) 6. Straw treated with 4% urea in a closed pit (TS closed) 7. TS closed + 1.5 kg RB + 3.0 kg Gl Milk production, butterfat percentage and liveweight gain of cows and calves were measured and tested with analysis of variance. The results are: - The animals on urea treated straw (group 2) had a higher milk production (p<0.05), higher butterfat production (p<0.05) and less liveweight gain loss (p<0.05) than the animals on urea supplemented straw (group 1). Butterfat percentage also increased by treatment, although not significantly (p>0.05). - Increasing levels of rice bran (groups 3 and 4 compared to 2) increased total milk production and milked quantity of butterfat, while butterfat percentage decreased (p < 0.05). - Milk production increased (p <0.05) with extra rice bran added (group 4 compared to 3), but was not affected (p > 0.05) by Gliricidia addition (group 5 compared to 3). Butterfat percentage dropped with extra rice bran supplement (p <0.05). The lack of response to Gliricidia indicated that protein is not limiting in treated straw, or that Gliricidia protein is partly insoluble. - System of treatment had no effect on milk production (p >0.05), while supplementation with 1.5 kg RB and 3.0 kg Gliricidia increased production and caused a lower butterfat percentage (p <0.05) (groups 2, 5, 6 and 7 compared). A significant (p <0.05) interaction treatment system x supplementation was present. It was concluded, that both treatment and supplementation did affect milk production as well as milk composition. Gliricidia addition gave less effect than rice bran, indicating different requirements for starchy substances in the feed. Treatment of straw does not negatively affect butterfat production, it can increase butterfat production and even butterfat percentage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.617-622
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• 1992

Four rumen-fistulated swamp buffaloes steers were used in a change-over experiment. This experiment was designed to provide a comparison of the effect of urea-ammonia treatment of rice straw with untreated rice straw. Nitrogen, mineral and trace elements were supplied at adequate levels to both diets in order to overcome deficiencies which may have otherwise confounded a direct comparison. There was a 46% increase in the intake of digestible organic matter (OM) with the urea-ammonia treated diet. This was contributed by a 17% increase in the digestibility of OM and a 25% increase in the voluntary intake of OM. Of the cell wall fraction, the digestibility of hemicellulose increased by the greatest amount (26%). There was an increased rate of passage of particulate matter out of the rumen for the treated straw, along with the increased rate of OM fermentation resulted in a 9% decrease in the amount of digesta dry matter (DM) contained in the rumen. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) pool in the rumen was 24% higher for the treated diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1430-1433
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• 2004

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different alkali treatments on changes in chemical composition and on degradability of bagasse and rice straw. This study divided into 2 experiments, the first with bagasse and the second with rice straw. Each experiment comprised 9 treatments which included: untreated control; 3% NaOH; 6% NaOH; 3% urea; 6% urea; 3% NaOH/3% urea; 3% NaOH/6% urea; 6% NaOH/3% urea; 6% NaOH/6% urea. In both experiments, crude protein contents were increased from 2.0 to 12.5 units for bagasse and 3.1 to 13.7 units for rice straw by urea treatments. Ash contents of the treated bagasse and rice straw were increased over the untreated control (1.5-9.7 units for bagasse; 4.2-8.8 units for rice straw). The effects on ether extract, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of the treated bagasse and rice straw were variable. Nylon bag degradability of dry matter and crude fiber were increased by treatments applying NaOH and NaOH plus urea but not urea alone. In contrast, the egradability of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were reduced compared with the untreated control. From these degradability studies, it can be concluded that the most efficient treatments of bagasse were those treatments with 6% NaOH, followed by treatments with 6% NaOH plus 3% or 6% urea and 3% NaOH plus 3% or 6% urea, respectively. However, when comparison was made on the cost of chemical used to treat the agricultural by-products, particularly in case of rice straw, 3-6% urea would be appropriate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 1988

The rumen degradability of rice straw (untreated, urea-sprayed, urea-treated), grasses (Panicum maximum, Pennisetum clandestinum) and rice bran was compared. The mean in vivo organic matter digestibility of the untreated (US), urea-supplemented (SS) and urea-ammonia treated (TS) rice straw were 50.9, 53.9 and 57.4%, respectively. Rice bran contained extremely high levels of acid-insoluble ash (25.2% DM), and its OMD was 36.1%. Grasses had OMD values around 66%. Degradability measurements were performed with buffaloes using the nylon bag technique. The organic matter (OM) disappearance data were fitted to an model which was used to describe degradation pattern. The mean potentially degradable fraction for US, SS and TS was 61.5, 61.9 and 69.4%, respectively. Urea-ammonia treatment increased both the amount of OM degraded and the rate at which it was degraded in the rumen. Both grasses had similar values for degradable fraction (around 65%) and for rate constant for degradation (0.04). Rice bran contained high proportions of readily soluble material (23.9%), but the degradable OM fraction was only 13.2%. The low quality of rice bran is attributed to the contamination of rice hulls during processing.