CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND RUMINAL DEGRADATION OF UREA- AND LIME- TREATED GROUNDNUT SHELLS IN YANKASA RAMS

Abstract

The evaluation of alkali chemical treatment on groundnut shells (GNS) using urea, lime and urea-lime on its nutritive value was examined based on in sacco rumen degradation. Untreated (UTGNS), urea treated (UGNS), lime treated (LGNS) and urea-lime treated (ULGNS) groundnut shells were incubated at different incubation intervals in the rumen of 3 fistulated Yankasa rams. The GNS were treated with 5% urea, 5% lime and 5% urea-lime, ensiled for a period of 3 weeks. The results revealed significant differences in the parameters measured. There was improvement in the hydrolysis of the cell wall components (lignin, ADF and NDF); CP was increased by 8.53%, when urea-lime was used to treat the GNS. The DM disappearance in ULGNS appeared to be faster within the treatment groups.