Abstract
The composition and digestibility of corn stover leaves and stems after prolonged NH3 treatment was compared with that after isonitrogenous NH3 addition (NH3 control), represented by samples immediately frozen after initial NH3 application. Ammonia treatment decreased concentration of hemicellulose in leaves, particularly arabinose residues. Concentration of saponifiable hydroxycinnamic acids was reduced by NH3 treatment in upper stems only. Ammonia addition, compared to a H2O control, increased the extent of in vitro fiber degradation of all plant fractions but the rate of fiber degradation for leaves only. Ammonia treatment increased the extent of fiber degradation over NH3 addition in leaves but not in stems. The variable response to NH3 treatment among stover fractions of drought-stressed corn may be related to the high concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates in the stalks and immobilization of NH3-N with lignin. Keywords: Ammoniation; Zea mays; lignin; hemicellulose; hydroxycinnamic acids; NPN immobilization; digestibility
Published Version
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