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Abstract
Small samples of ground rice straw (initial moisture content 7%) were treated at ambient temperatures with aqueous NH3 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 % levels (on a dry matter basis). The final moisture content was 21%. Samples at each level of ammoniation were held for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The IVDMD of the samples, predicted from the pepsin-cellulose method, indicated a strong trend towards higher digestibility with increasing levels of NH3 application, although the difference between 6% and 8% NH3 was small. Treatment at ambient temperatures was completed in 7 days. In a second set of experiments, samples of straw were treated with 6% NH3, such that the final moisture contents were 13% and 25%. These samples were stored at 30, 60 and 90°C, and for 6, 18, 72 and 168 hrs. IVDMD analyses indicated that increasing treatment time, temperature and moisture content of the straw, all had positive effects on the IVDMD.