Nutritive Value Of Rice Straw Research Articles

Adaptation of Chlorella vulgaris immobilization on rice straw with liquid manure to create a sustainable feedstock for biogas production and potential feed applications

Rice straw (RS) is a widely available agricultural residue with significant potential for biogas production and feed applications; however, its poor digestibility and nutritional value limit its utilization. This study explores an innovative approach to enhance the digestibility and nutritional value of RS by cultivating Chlorella vulgaris through immobilization technology on RS, using liquid manure (LM) as an alternative to the traditional BG11 medium. The results showed an increase in chlorophyll a (Chl a) after 12 days for both the BG11 medium and LM-based treatments, from 0.13 to 0.34 and 0.24 mg Chl a/g product (DM), respectively. Additionally, the immobilized microalgal biomass increased to 284.18 and 170.14 mg algal biomass/g product (DM), respectively. Soaking under microaerobic conditions during cultivation led to the partial degradation of RS. This, combined with the formed microalgal biofilm, contributed to an improved digestibility of the dry matter, reaching 69.1% and 65.9% for the final products based on the BG11 medium and LM mediums, respectively, compared to 52.1% for the raw RS. Furthermore, the crude protein and lipids contents were significantly improved with the potential for applications in feed, reaching 21.4% and 4.1% for the BG11 medium-based product, while they were observed to be 12.8% and 3.0%, respectively, for the LM-based product. Additionally, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio was significantly reduced compared to the raw RS. The higher digestibility and improved nutritional value contributed to increased biogas production, reaching 129.3 and 118.7 mL/g (TS) for the products based on the traditional medium and LM medium, respectively, compared to 86.7 mL/g (TS) for the raw RS. The immobilization mechanism and biofilm development could be attributed to the roughness of the RS and extracellular polymer substances. This study demonstrates that integrating C. vulgaris cultivation on RS with LM as a nutrient source not only enhances the digestibility and nutritional value of RS but also offers a sustainable waste management solution with potential applications in biogas production and animal feed.

Incubation temperature affects growth and efficacy of white-rot fungi to improve the nutritive value of rice straw

Context A great body of evidence is available on the in vitro efficacy of white-rot fungi (WRF) to degrade lignin in fibre-rich biomass (e.g. wheat straw, wood chips and rice straw (RS)) and improve the biomass’ nutritive value for ruminants. Aims Determining the impact of incubation temperature of three WRF to improve the nutritional value of rice straw. Methods Growth of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii on RS for 26 days at the following six temperature regimes: continuous at 24°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C, and 3 days at 35°C and 40°C, with subsequent days at 24°C. In a follow-up experiment, improvement in fermentability in buffered rumen fluid of RS treated by the three WRF at 24°C and 30°C for up to 8 weeks was investigated. Key results All three fungi grew at temperatures up to 35°C, with no growth observed at 40°C, with C. subvermispora being more temperature sensitive. There were significant differences in cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin degradation of RS at 24°C and 30°C, with C. subvermispora degrading 69% and 90% of the hemicellulose and lignin respectively at 30°C, greater than at 24°C (55% and 80% respectively). For L. edodes, there were significant differences in cellulose degradation between 24°C and 30°C, with 12% more degradation at 30°C, but not for hemicellulose and lignin. In vitro gas production showed no significant differences between the two incubation temperatures for either of the two fungi. Pleurotus eryngii treatment did not show any improvement in terms of in vitro gas production. Conclusions Treatment of RS with L. edodes and C. subvermispora, but not P. eryngii, is robust and temperature changes will not have a major impact on their efficacy as long as the temperature remains below 30°C. Implications Temperature during the incubation of WRF with rice straw needs to be below 30°C for this biotechnology to be applied in practice.

Mineral composition and nutritive value of fresh and supplemented rice straws preserved in manual stacking, balling, and wrapping storage methods

Rice straws are underutilized as feed due to cattle’s preference for fresh straw. Rice straws have low nutritional value and are easily susceptible to microbial spoilage during traditional storage of loose stacking or manual open-air balling. Supplementing fresh rice straws with some minerals, energy, and protein could improve the nutritional value and storage stability under different preservation methods. The present study aimed to determine the effect of supplementing fresh rice straws with minerals, molasses, and urea, stored under three manual treatments: loose stacking, open-air balling, and airtight wrapping. Fresh rice straws were treated with 1% calcite-based mineral mixture, 0.6% molasses, and 0.05% urea and stored for 60 days. The supplemented rice straws were chopped and mixed with a basal diet composed of 55% elephant grass and 20% concentrate. Four experimental diets were then developed from the composite. That is the basal diet + fresh rice straw (FRS), basal diet+stacking supplemented rice straw (SSRS), basal diet+balling supplemented rice straw (BSSR), and basal diet+wrapping supplemented rice straw (WSRS). The experimental diets were fed to young Pesisir bulls using a 4x4 Latin Square design for eleven days. Fresh and supplemented rice straws were analyzed for dry matter, mineral content, blood hematology profile and protein content. The fresh rice straw had a relatively high potassium, iron, and manganese content but was low in calcium, sodium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium. Supplementation significantly increased the concentration of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper, and selenium in the preserved rice straw. Rice straw preserved in the wrapping way had the highest copper, cobalt, and selenium content. Feeding cattle with supplemented rice straw preserved in the wrapping method, decreased the blood monocyte value equivalent to that of the fresh straw. Supplementation of fresh rice straws with calcite-based minerals, molasses, and urea has the potential to increase some essential mineral content and maintained the nutritional value of rice straw preserved in an air-tied wrapping method. Key words: Calcites, Hematology, Mineral, Pesisir cattle, Rice straw, Storage, Supplementation

P1 Impact of incubation temperature on the growth and efficacy of white-rot fungi to improve the nutritive value of rice straw

P1 Impact of incubation temperature on the growth and efficacy of white-rot fungi to improve the nutritive value of rice straw

Improve the nutritional value and utilization of rice straw via an ensiling process with different sources of energy and nitrogen enrichment

ABSTRACT Ensiled rice straw using, water (RSW), molasses plus urea, and whey (RWh) were implied to investigate the ensiling processing on palatability and nutritional value of rice straw compared to untreated rice straw (URS). Using whey resulted in a significant (P < .05) progress in fermentation coefficient, and Flieg Score compared to others. Protein and water-soluble carbohydrates content increased (P < .05) in RWh compared to RMU. Gas cumulative increased (P < .05) with ERS compared to the incubation of URS. In-vitro organic matter degradability, neutral detergent fiber degradability, crude protein degradability, microbial protein, and metabolizable energy varied less amongst the tested ingredients. The RWh was significantly (P < .05) consumed and palatable higher compared to RMU, which was more (P < .05) significant than RSW. The use of either RWh or RMU has improved total digestible nutrients (TDN) compared to RSW and URS. The values of total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and glucose were higher (P < .05) with ERS feeding compared to URS. The results indicate the possibility of ensiling rice straw with added either whey or molasses with urea as sources of nitrogen and energy to induce good fermentation and improve utilization of rice straw.

Degradation of lignocellulosic content of rice straw using aerobic cellulolytic bacteria isolated from forest soil of Bangladesh

The present research work was conducted to enumerate and isolate aerobic cellulolytic bacteria from forest soil using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as substrate. The identified isolate was further tested as potent candidate to improve the nutritional value of rice straw. The forest soil was loaded with substantial amount (2.45×107) of cellulolytic bacteria. A total of 10 cellulose degrading bacteria (CDB) were isolated, identified and monitored for their cellulolytic activity. The isolate having the highest cellulolytic index (2.5) was identified as Bacillus subtilis targeting the 16S rRNA gene which was labeled as B. subtilis strain CDB7 and investigated for nutritional improvement of rice straw. Solid state fermentation of each group was carried out at 37°C for a period of 0, 3 and 6 days in 0 (no bacterial inoculum), 1, 5 and 10% inoculum group. There were a tendency of reduction in Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and lignin at concentrations of 1, 5 and 10% inoculums at every interval of fermentation. Highest reduction of ADF (4.8%), NDF (10.78%) and lignin (37.6%) were observed after 6 days of fermentation at 10, 10 and 5% inoculum group, respectively. The crude protein content was increased (5.3 ± 0.4 to 6.4± 0.3) in 10% inoculum group. Taken together, the identified isolate could be a potent candidate to degrade lignocellulosic content through breaking of lignin-cellulose bondage and to improve the nutritional value of rice straw. Key words: Rice straw, Bacillus subtilis strain CDB7, solid state fermentation, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), lignin.

Novel Crabtree negative yeast from rumen fluids can improve rumen fermentation and milk quality

Upgrading the nutritive value of rice straw (RS) is necessary to increase its contribution to enhancing meat and milk production. Present work verified whether novel Crabtree negative yeast inoculant could promote RS utilization, rumen fermentation, and milk quality in tropical crossbred lactating Holstein cows. The new stain of Crabtree negative yeasts (Pichia kudriavzevii KKU20 and Candida tropicalis KKU20) was isolated from the rumen of dairy cattle. This study used 6 multiparous crossbreds between Holstein Frisian × Zebu dairy cows in their mid-lactation period. Dairy cows were randomly allocated to three ensiled RS with various yeast stains including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, P. kudriavzevii KKU20, and C. tropicalis KKU20 according to a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design. Crabtree-negative yeast (P. kudriavzevii and C. tropicalis) increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter by about 6.9% when compared with Crabtree-positive yeast (S. cerevisiae). Bacterial populations were highest with ensiled RS by C. tropicalis KKU20. Ensiled RS with Crabtree-negative yeasts were significantly increased with total volatile fatty acids, but they did not affect volatile fatty acid profiles. Milk protein precentage was highest at 35.6 g/kg when C. tropicalis was fed, and lowest when applied with S. cerevisiae and P. kudriavzevii KKU20 in ensiled RS at 34.5 and 34.1 g/kg, respectively. Thus, feeding ensiled RS with novel Crabtree negative yeast could improve RS digestion, rumen fermentation, and milk protein content in dairy cows.

The Impact of Ammoniation Treatment on the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Rice Straw in Chinese Holsteins.

Simple SummaryRice straw has many essential uses as a byproduct of agriculture. As a feed source, due to low digestibility, low crude protein and minerals contents, the pretreatment of rice straw is required before use in ruminant feeding. To enhance the nutritive value of rice straw, different methods are practiced. Among them, treatment with ammoniation might be effective regarding the rice straw intake, enhancement of straw digestibility and crude protein levels, which are essential for enhancing the productive ability of dairy cattle. In the current study, we experimentally proved the efficiency of ammoniation treatment to enhance the different feed value parameters (dry matter digestibility, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, gas production, acetic acid, butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acid) of rice straw.The current study was conducted to explore the ammoniation treatment effects on the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of rice straw in Chinese Holsteins. For this purpose, rice straw was stored in polyethylene bags (35 × 25 cm, 350 g per bag) including (i) no additives (RS); (ii) 5% urea (5U, dry matter (DM) basis); (iii) 9% corn steep liquor + 5% urea (9C5U, DM basis); (iv) 9C2.5U; and (v) 9C2.5U + 3% molasses (9C2.5U3M, DM basis). The air-dry matter of the mixture was kept at the same level at 55% for all treatments. Fifteen bags (5 treatments × 3 repeats) were prepared and stored at ambient temperature (25 ± 3 °C). The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were measured at day 60 after storage. Our analysis revealed that all the four ammoniation treatments improved the in vitro DM and neutral detergent fiber (IVNDFD) digestibility. In addition, all the four ammoniation treatments significantly (P < 0.001) increased the levels of crude protein (CP), gas production (GP), acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) contents of the rice straw and decreased the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of the rice straw compared to the control. Within four treated groups, the 9C5U treatment was most effective. Finally, we concluded that ammoniation treatments increased the nutritive value of rice straw. In addition the 9C5U treatment could be an effective ammoniation treatment for the better utilization of rice straw.

Assessment of the nutritive value of urea–calcium hydroxide-treated rice straw by in sacco technique

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of urea–lime treatment on nutritive value and rumen degradability of rice straw by using the nylon-bag technique. Straw was assigned to treatments according to a 2 × 3 × 5 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design. Factor A comprised two storage times (10 and 20 days), Factor B comprised three levels of lime addition (0%, 1% and 2%) and Factor C comprised five levels of urea treatment (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%). Two ruminal fistulated beef steers (410 ± 10 kg) were used to determine in situ DM degradability. The results showed that increasing the urea treatment level increased crude protein and organic matter concentrations, while concentrations of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre decreased linearly with an increasing lime treatment level (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Moreover, urea and lime treatment increased the soluble fractions at time zero (a), insoluble degradability fractions (b), rate of degradation (c), potential degradability (a+b) and the effective degradability of DM (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Furthermore, rice-straw treatment at 20 days showed a better straw chemical composition and rumen degradability (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than that at 10 days. In conclusion, treatment with urea and lime improved the quality and ruminal degradability of rice straw. The present study suggested that urea treatment can improve the nutritional value of rice straw, especially, treatment with 3% urea together with 2% lime.

Enhancement the feeding value of rice straw as animal fodder through microbial inoculants and physical treatments

PurposeImproving the nutritional value of rice straw by microbial inoculants and some physical treatments for animal feeding during dry seasons.MethodsDifferent microbial inoculants and some physical treatments were used to improve the nutritional value of rice straw. Rice straw was divided into moist straw, soaked straw for 24 h without pasteurization and soaked for 24 h and pasteurized at 100 °C/1 h, and all of them were inoculated with different microbial inoculants.ResultsMoistened rice straw inoculated with Azotobacter chroococcum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae recorded the highest significant reduction in organic matter percent, 74.21%. The highest significant reductions in crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber percent were recorded in moistened rice straw inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense and Saccharomyces cerevisiae which gave 27.54, 55.39 and 42.47%, respectively. The highest significant increase in crude protein percent, 13.71%, was recorded in rice straw soaked for 24 h and inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus megaterium. The combined interaction between microbial treatments and physical pretreatments of rice straw gave a significant decrease in organic matter, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber %, as well as a significant increase in crude protein % compared to control. Addition of nitrogen fixers to rice straw improved its nitrogen contents.ConclusionsThis study showed the possibility of improving the nutritional value of rice straw using microbial inoculants and some physical treatments to produce safe and cheap animal feeds.

Effect of Using Fungal Treated Rice Straw in Sheep Diet on Nutrients Digestibility and Microbial Protein Synthesis

Background and Objective: Biological methods by using white-rot fungi is one of the viable alternatives to improve the nutritional value of rice straw. Moreover, biological method is environmental friendly and potentially economic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of utilisation of fungal treated rice straw in the diet of sheep on feed intake and nutrient digestibility when compared to untreated or urea treated rice straw. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 male Phan Rang sheep with body weight (20.58±1.16 kg) were randomly assigned to either a Rice Straw (RS) or a urea treated rice straw (UTR) or fugal treated rice straw (FTR) diet over an experimental period of 20 days in a completely randomized design. The RS diet was a mixture of rice straw, guinea grass and concentrates. In the UTR and the FTR diets, rice straw was replaced by urea treated rice straw and fungal treated rice straw, respectively. During 14 days of adaptation, all sheep were kept in individual pens and received their assigned diets ad libitum. During the following 6 days, the sheep were offered at 95% of ad libitum intake and moved to metabolism crates for total urine and fecal collection to evaluate feed intake, nutrients digestibility and N balance. All data were tested by ANOVA using the general model procedure of SAS. Results: The nutrient intake did not differ among three diets. However, apparent nutrient digestibility were highest (p<0.05) in sheep fed the FTR diet. The nitrogen retention and microbial protein synthesis were also greatest (4.32 and 6.04 g/day, respectively, p<0.05) for sheep fed the FTR diet. Conclusion: These results suggest that using fungal treated rice straw in the diet of sheep showed the best improvement of nutrient digestibility, N retention and microbial protein synthesis.

Soaking in Seawater of Rice Straw Increases In vitro Dry Matter and Organic Matter Digestibility

This research aims to improve the digestibility and nutritional value of rice straw as a ruminant animal feed and determine the effect of long soaking in sea water of rice straw on digestibility in vitro dry matter and organic matter. The used materials in this study are a bales machine, weighing scales, rapiah rope, poly bags, rice straw varieties Ciliwung obtained from rice fields in Bantimurung, sea water with 2.71% saline, as well as tools and chemicals for analysis of in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility with pepsin, calculus method. This study is done based on Randomized Complete Design (RCD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. Variance based on the long soaking treatment gives the nature of the response curve linear on the digestibility of dry matter and also to organic matter digestibility. The magnitude of the correlation length relationship soaking rice straw and with sea water for in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility that is 96.5% and 96.8% respectively. Based on the results of research and discussion can be concluded that rice straw is soaked with sea water 3-12 days producing dry matter digestibility and organic matter are higher than the rice straw that is not soaked with sea water. Soaking of the sea water for 3-12 days increase the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter.

Upgrading of Processed Rice Straw for Feeding : 1. Nutritive value of rice straw processed with sodium hydroxide, soybean meal, urea, cage layer manure and molasses

Upgrading of Processed Rice Straw for Feeding : 1. Nutritive value of rice straw processed with sodium hydroxide, soybean meal, urea, cage layer manure and molasses

Growth performance and macronutrient digestion in goats fed a rice straw based ration supplemented with fibrolytic enzymes

Supplementation of rice straw based rations (30% rice straw, dry matter basis) with fibrolytic enzymes is of potential interest to improve nutrient utilization and hence animal performance, but its efficacy is not yet demonstrated in growing goats. In a parallel design, eighteen young goats were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) based on rice straw either with or without supplemental fibrolytic enzymes. Addition of fibrolytic enzymes to the TMR increased the apparent digestibility of neutral and acid detergent fiber by 10.0 and 9.1%, respectively. Enzyme supplementation raised concentrations of total volatile fatty acids in rumen fluid with an associated increase in the proportion of acetate and total bacteria counts. Fortification of TMR with fibrolytic enymes increased average daily weight gain by 34.7% and the efficiency of feed utilization by 28%. It is concluded that the nutritive value of rice straw based rations can be upgraded by supplementation with fibrolytic enzymes, leading to enhanced ruminant production.

Urea treatment of rice straw at elevated temperature and pressure: Effects on fiber content, rumen fermentation and digestibility

The objective of this study was to apply urea treatment of rice straw at elevated temperature and pressure (121oC; 1.4 atm) and at short treatment period (30 or 60 min) in comparison to conventional urea treatment (4 weeks incubation). Rice straw was subjected to the following treatments: RS1: untreated rice straw (control), RS2: RS1+1% urea (no incubation), RS3:RS1+1% urea (4 weeks incubation), RS4: RS2+autoclave 30 min, RS5: RS3+autoclave 30 min, RS6: RS2+autoclave 60 min, RS7: RS3+autoclave 60 min. The samples were analyzed for fiber contents and incubated in vitro. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Duncan’s post-hoc test. Results showed that urea treatments (RS3-RS7) did not change NDF and ADF contents of rice straw in comparison to control. Urea treatment in autoclave for 30 min (RS4) increased rice straw IVDMD and IVOMD by 23.3% and 25.6% as compared to control, respectively (P&lt;0.05). Extension of the incubation period to 60 min (RS6) did not improve further the IVDMD and IVOMD. Treatments did not change pH values and NH3 concentrations. Urea treatment (RS3-RS7) increased total VFA concentration in comparison to control (P&lt;0.05). It was concluded that urea treatment using autoclave for 30 min may replace conventional urea treatment to improve nutritional value of rice straw.

Potensi jerami sebagai pakan ternak ruminansia

The basic reason for poor performance of livestock in developing countries, include Indonesia, is qualitative fluctuations in feed. Therefore knowledge in utilizing agroindustry byproduct as feedstuff to meet nutrient requirement of animals is important. Rice straw is a crop residue of rice production and can be used as a feed for ruminants because it is easily and cheaply available in many Asian countries. Rice straws have low nutritive value and it is generally limited by several factors such as the low nutritional quality due to high fiber content and lignification process. In Indonesia, rice straw has been widely utilised in livestock feeding systems, thus the need to improve them is imperative as they are an abundant crop residue. Much more attention has been paid to improving its feeding value in order to increase livestock productivity. Many processing methods to improve the nutritive value of rice straw have been investigated. These methods can be classified as physical, chemical or biological. Usually, processing methods improves the nutritive value of straw by increasing its digestible energy content, by increasing feed intake, or by a combination of the two. This paper aims to examine the potential of rice straw as basal feed livestock as well as efforts to improve their nutritional value.Key words: livestock, rice straw, processing methods, nutritional value

FARMERS’ GUIDANCE FOR RECYCLING AGRICULTURAL WASTES TO PRODUCE ANIMAL FEED

The increasing expansion of water hyacinth plant activity over year has led to the accumulation of large quantity their in the Nile River due to prohibit a lot of rile water and light from organisms living in the Nile, and consuming nile water. Recently, the world used water hyacinth leaves to absorbe the metal ions from waste water. In this study we used this to up- grade nutritional value of some lignocellulosic matertials such as rice straw and banana leaves. The lignocellulosic residues can be used without any chemical or biotechnology pretreatment (control) or can be hydrolyzed before any fermentation, then the subsequent can result in a product with high protein content as well as high digestibility compared to non added residues. In this study, we made mixture combination water hyacinth leaves to rice straw or banana leaves with different ratios (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 g water hyacinth leaves/100g rice straw or banana leaves). All treatments gave a good results, but treatment added 30 g water hyacinth leaves / 100g rice straw or banana leaves is the better than all. The increasing in protein content from 2.30%, 12.50 % (control) to 10.00%, 17.10 % and decreasing in fiber fraction sepically, cellulose and lignin. Cellulose decreased from 33.30 %, 26.30% to 22.00%, 19.35% and lignin decreased from 11.60%,8.50% and 5.95%, 5.35% in rice straw and banana leaves, respectively. In vitro digestibility studies indicated significantly (P< 0.05) higher values for treatment added 30% water hyacinth leaves in the rice straw and banana leaves , respectively, to produce feed non traditional for animals. Pleurotus ostreatus was used to upgrade nutritional value of rice straw, banana leaves and water hyacinth leaves by using different amounts of Pleurotus ostreatus inoculum, in solid state fermentation technique. The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the resulted protein enriched product were deter­mined. Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin showed gradual decrease with increasing inoculums of Pleurotus ostreatus , however, in vitro disappearance increased

Nutritional value of baled rice straw for ruminant feed

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of cultivation and hay making factors on chemical composition, protein fractionation, and digestibility in rice straw, as well as to identify the chemical fractions that contribute to the variation in its nutritional value for ruminants. Statistical procedures were performed in a model that included rice crop cycle, sowing season, baling season, soil classification, fertilizer application, and productivity (kg/ha) as fixed effects and the hay bale as random effect. Chemical composition, protein fractionation, and digestibility data were subjected to multivariate analyses including factor, cluster, and discriminant. Considering the cultivation and haymaking factors, development cycle, baling season, and grain production explained the most variation in the rice straw nutritional value. Straws derived from early maturing cultivars showed the lowest levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, and C nitrogen fraction in comparison with straw originating from mid cycle cultivars. Rice straw from more productive cultivars had lower levels of lignin and C fraction as well as higher levels of crude protein and B3 fraction compared with straws from less productive cultivars. However, the main variation in the nutritional value between the samples of rice straw was related to the baling season. The bailing seasons were grouped in two clusters. Straws with better nutritional value were those with lower levels of cell wall fractions, from more productive crops, with early development cycle and baled until March. Rice crop cycle, baling season, and grain production effects explain the variation in the nutritional value of rice straws. Straws with better nutritional value have lower levels of fractions related to secondary cell wall and lignification.

Pretreated rice straw as an improved fodder for ruminants-An overview

Rice straw, a by-product of the rice production is mainly used as a source of feed for ruminant livestock is the major forage in rice-producing areas in India. The disposal of the rice straw is a serious problem in areas where it is the major agricultural product. It is rich in polysaccharides and has a high lignin and silica content, limiting voluntary intake and reducing degradability by rumen microbes. By rice straw treatment, its quality and digestibility can be improved and enhanced the protein content. Several methods have been used to improve the utilization of rice straw by ruminants or supplemented by other ingredients to increase digestibility and nutrient value before it can be considered a suitable animal feed. In recent years, biological treatments have been investigated for improvement in nutritional value of rice straw. The use of ligninolytic fungi and their extracellular ligninolytic enzymes for treatment of rice straw results in degrading cellulose and hemicelluloses contents which improve its nutritional value. The use of fungi and enzyme treatments is expected to be a practical, cost-effective and environmental-friendly approach for enhancing the nutritive value and digestibility of rice straw. Therefore, the treated rice straw has a good potential as feed for ruminants.

Improving the quality of rice straw by urea and calcium hydroxide on rumen ecology, microbial protein synthesis in beef cattle.

Four rumen-fistulated beef cattle were randomly assigned to four treatments according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to study the influence of urea and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2 ] treatment of rice straw to improve the nutritive value of rice straw. Four dietary treatments were as follows: untreated rice straw, 50 g/kg urea-treated rice straw, 20 g/kg urea + 20 g/kg calcium hydroxide-treated rice straw and 30 g/kg urea + 20 g/kg calcium hydroxide-treated rice straw. All animals were kept in individual pens and fed with concentrate at 0.5 g/kg of BW (DM), rice straw was fed ad libitum. The experiment was conducted for four periods, and each period lasted for 21 days. During the first 14 days, DM feed intake measurements were made while during the last 7 days, all cattle were moved to metabolism crates for total faeces and urine collections. The results revealed that 20 g/kg urea + 20 g/kg calcium hydroxide-treated rice straw improved the nutritive value of rice straw, in terms of dry matter intake, digestibility, ruminal volatile fatty acids, population of bacteria and fungi, nitrogen retention and microbial protein synthesis. Based on this study, it could be concluded that using urea plus calcium hydroxide was one alternative method to improve the nutritive value of rice straw, rumen ecology and fermentation and thus a reduction of treatment cost.