• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 1996

About 8 million tons of straw (dry matter) become rotten during the monsoon(June to August) season in Bangladesh. The possibility of preserving straw with urea, under wet condition during dry period (December to May) and its utilization by cattle has been studied. Five tons of fresh and wet(600g DM/kg material) rice straw were preserved for six months, with 5% urea(W/W) in either dome or rectangular shaped heap without any polythene cover. The preservation quality, acceptability and nutritive value of preserved straw were then comparted with that of dry straw in growing cattle. In both types of heaps, straw was excellently preserved having strong ammonia smell,dark brown in colour with no fungal infestation. Urea preservation of straw increased its CP and ADF content. Preserved straw was readily accepted by the animals and they were healthy throughout the experimental period. Compared to dry straw, urea preserved straw had nonsignificantly higher rumen degradability, straw intgake and growth rate. Similarly, digestibilities of DM(p<0.01), OM(p<0.01) & ADF(p<0.01) were significantly higher in the preserved than the dry straw. It was concluded that wet straw with relatively lower moisture(400 to 500 g/kg straw) content can be readily preserved by using urea without being covered with polythene. Whether the same phenomenon occurs in the preservation of fresh and weet rice straw with relatively higher moisture(600 to 700 g/kg straw) content is yet to be determined.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.524-534
• /
• 2017

The development and utilization of crop straw biogas resources can effectively alleviate the shortage of energy, environmental pollution, and other issues. This study performed a continuous batch test at $35^{\circ}C$ to assess the methane production potential and volatile organic acid contents using the modified Gompertz equation. Illumina MiSeq platform sequencing, which is a sequencing method based on sequencing-by-synthesis, was used to compare the archaeal community diversity, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to analyze the bacterial community diversity in rice straw, dry maize straw, silage maize straw, and tobacco straw. The results showed that cumulative gas production values for silage maize straw, rice straw, dry maize straw, and tobacco straw were 4,870, 4,032.5, 3,907.5, and $3,628.3ml/g{\cdot}VS$, respectively, after 24 days. Maximum daily gas production values of silage maize straw and rice straw were 1,025 and $904.17ml/g{\cdot}VS$, respectively, followed by tobacco straw and dry maize straw. The methane content of all four kinds of straws was > 60%, particularly that of silage maize straw, which peaked at 67.3%. Biogas production from the four kinds of straw was in the order silage maize straw > rice straw > dry maize straw > tobacco straw, and the values were 1,166.7, 1,048.4, 890, and $637.4ml/g{\cdot}VS$, respectively. The microbial community analysis showed that metabolism was mainly carried out by acetate-utilizing methanogens, and that Methanosarcina was the dominant archaeal genus in the four kinds of straw, and the DGGE bands belonged to the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi. Silage maize is useful for biogas production because it contains four kinds of straw.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is analyzing the prescriptions of American codes for straw bale structures and proposing the legislation direction of Korean building code. The process of this study is as follows: (1) To set up the legislation direction of straw bale code of Korea, this study investigated the current state and features of straw bale houses in Korea, and looked into the worldwide status of straw bale codes and permitting. (2) To provide basic data for the legislation of Korean straw bale code or guideline, this study analyzed American codes for straw bale structures like the Tucson/Pima County Arizona Building Code Appendix Chapter 72 - Straw-Bale Structures, California State Guidelines for Straw-Bale Structures, New Mexico Standards for Non-load Bearing Baled Straw Construction, Oregon State Residential Code Appendix M - Straw-Bale Structures and so on. The analysis items are the scope of rule application, material specifications, requirements for straw bale walls/foundations and construction requirements. (3) On the base of analysis of American straw bale codes, this study proposed the legislation process and direction of Korean straw bale code and guideline.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.48-53
• /
• 2005

Finger millet straw and rice straw are the major source of dry roughage in southern India. They distinctly vary in their morphological and nutritional characters. Hence an effort was made to study the nutrient utilization, milk yield and composition in crossbred dairy cows fed either finger millet (group 1) or rice straw (group 2) as a source of dry roughage. The cows in both the groups were fed as per requirement with concentrate, green fodder and straw in the ratio of 30:45:25 parts (DM). At the end of 50 days of preliminary feeding a digestibility trial was conducted for 7 days and pooled samples of feed, fodder, feces, urine and milk were analysed for macro and micro nutrient content. Finger millet straw contained more CP, Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn and Co than rice straw and rice straw contained higher ADF, ash and silica. The intake of DM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF and most micronutrients (Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Co) was significantly higher in cows fed finger millet straw. The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF and ADF was significantly higher in cows fed finger millet straw and the gut absorption of Ca, Cu, Mn and Co was significantly higher in cows fed finger millet straw. The dietary requirement of all micronutrients in both the group of cows could be met irrespective of the type of roughage fed except that of Ca, which was low (0.61 and 0.40%) in rice straw fed cows. The average daily milk yield (L/cow) was also higher (7.0 L) in cows fed finger millet straw as compared to cows fed rice straw (6.3 L). The average milk composition also did not differ except that of milk fat which was significantly (4.7 and 4.5%) low in cows fed rice straw. The overall results of this study have indicated that finger millet straw is a better source of dry fodder than rice straw and while feeding rice straw as the sole roughage to dairy cows there is need to supplement additional calcium as this could be one of the limiting nutrients for milk production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.545-548
• /
• 1992

Twelve indigenous buffalo heifers were grouped into 3 and were supplied with following diets-urea-ensiled rice straw + wheat bran + green grass (A); rice straw soaked in urea-water + wheat bran + green grass (B); and untreated straw + wheat bran + green grass (C); so that each group received any one diet. Total dry matter intake was highest in animals on diet C and lowest on B. However, straw DM intake was highest in animals on silage diet and lowest on untreated straw diet. Organic matter and crude fibre digestibility of silage and soaked straw diets were significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of untreated straw diet. Although the values were lower with soaked straw diet than on silage diet and soaked straw diet were significantly (p < 0.01) higher, however, the value for silage diet was not significantly different from that of soaked straw diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.11
• /
• pp.1583-1591
• /
• 2003

The influence of varying levels of urea and additives on nitrogen (N) retention and chemical composition of wheat straw was studied. The wheat straw was treated with 4, 6 and 8% urea and ensiled with 1.5, 2 and 2.5% of acetic or formic acid and 2, 4 and 6% of corn steep liquor (CSL) or acidified molasses for 15 days. The N content of wheat straw was significantly different across all treatments. The N content of urea treated wheat straw was increased with the increasing level of urea. The N content was higher in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled without these organic acids. The N content of urea treated wheat straw was further enhanced when it was ensiled with CSL or acidified molasses. This effect was significant across all levels of urea used to treat the wheat straw. Nitrogen retention in urea treated wheat straw was decreased linearly as the urea level was increased to treat the wheat straw. The N content was increased linearly when higher levels of CSL or acidified molasses were used to ensile the urea treated wheat straw. Most of the N in urea treated wheat straw was held as neutral detergent insoluble N (NDIN). The NDIN content was increased linearly with the increasing levels of urea and additives. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents were higher in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled without additive. The NDF content further increased in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with CSL and acidified molasses. The entire increase in NDF content was because of fiber bound N. The hemicellulose content of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with CSL or acidified molasses was higher as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid. The acid detergent fiber content of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with or without additives remained statistically non-significant. The cellulose contents of wheat straw was linearly reduced when urea level was increased from 4 to 6 and 8% to treat the wheat straw. This effect was further enhanced when urea treated wheat straw was ensiled with different additives. The results of the present study indicated that fermentable carbohydrates might improve the Nitrogen retention and bring the favorable changes in physiochemical nature of wheat straw. However, biological evaluation of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with fermentable carbohydrates is required.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.387-391
• /
• 2000

Barley straw is a good source of organic matter for next crop growth following barley. This study was conducted to investigate effects of barley straw application methods (application, removal, or incineration) on growth and yield in soybean cultivation following barley. A soybean variety, Eunhakong, was sown on 12 June with drill-seeder attached to tractor after tillage. Barley straw application resulted in increase in organic matter content compared to removal and incineration of barley straw, and soil physical properties such as water content and porosity, were improved by application and incineration of barley straw. Weed occurrence was deterred by 44% in barley straw application and by 31% in barley straw incineration compared with removal of barley straw. Number and dry weight of soybean nodules were move abundant in barley straw application than the other treatments at 4 and R2 stages. Barley straw application had less for dry weight than barley straw removal but greater than incineration of barley straw about 30 days after seeding. However barley straw application caused greater top dry weight 90 days after seeding. Root dry weight was not affected by barley straw application method at all growth stage. There're no significant differences in soybean yield among barley straw application methods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 1996

About 7.7 million tons of straw dry matter are being rotten during the monsoon. The objective of this trial was to develop a technique to preserve straw under wet condition. To simulate the moisture content of wet straw, a dry straw was deeped overnight in water. After draining the excess water, the wet straw(668 g moisture $kg^{-1}$) was divided into twenty fractions and preserved with 0, 30, 50 ro 70 g urea $kg^{-1}$ dry matter for either of 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 days in sealed plastic container. Considering the colour, smell, fungal infestation and pH, the wert straw was preserved excellently up to 180 days when 50 or 70 g of urea per kg DM was used. Urea preservation increased the crude protein contents of straw by 3.6 to 6.4 times (174 to $364g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) over that of the dry straw ($48g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$). Although the NDF content of straw was not effected by the level of urea or by the length of the preservation period, but the ADF content increased (p > 0.05) by 0.086 to $0.889g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ straw DM for each g increase in the urea level. At 48 hours, the DM degradability of dry straw was $350g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$, which increased to $633g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ when preserved with 50 g urea $kg^{-1}$ for 180 days. For the same straw, both the rate(0.0388 vs. 0.0136 fraction $h^{-1}$), the extent(717 vs. $631g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) of straw degradation and the estimated ME(9.55 vs. $6.51MJ{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ straw DM) were higher in the preserved than the dry straw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 1989

Nutritive values and fermentation rates of rice straw treated with 3% anhydrous and 3% aqueous ammonia were evaluated both in vitro and sheep metabolism trials. Daily gain, feed efficiency and feed cost per gain were also determined with growing Holstein bulls fed anhydrous and aqueous ammonia treated rice straw. Crude protein was increased 2.4 fold and NDF was decreased 6.5%, but ADF and cellulose were not different between untreated and ammonia treated rice straw. An average of 35.5% of total added ammonia-N retained in the rice straw and other 64.5% was not retained in the rice straw. Ammonia treatment increased in vitro DM, NDF, ADF and cellulose digestibilities by 44.8%, 43.3%, 49.4% and 42.4%, respectively, and fermentation rates by 63.3%, 132.4%, 49.4% and 42.4%, respectively. In sheep metabolism trials, DM digestibilities of rice straw treated with anhydrous and aqueous ammonia were increased 22% and 36%, respectively, and digestible DM intakes by 48% and 70%, respectively in sheep fed anhydrous and aqueous ammonia treated rice straw over untreated rice straw. Rumen ammonia and blood urea were considerably higher in sheep fed ammonia treated rice straw than sheep fed untreated rice straw. Daily gain of Holstein bulls was increased 20.8% and 29.9% and rice straw intakes were increased 28.4% and 44.3% in anhydrous and aqueous ammonia treated rice straw over untreated rice straw. Feed conversion was improved 9.5% and 10.3% and feed cost/gain was reduced 7.1% and 9.2% respectively in anhydrous and aqueous ammonia treated rice straw group as compared with untreated rice straw group.

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