EFFECT OF AMMONIATION ON NUTRITIVE-VALUE ON SIGNAL GRASS HAY

This work was conducted to determine the effects of ammoniation and su pplementation on the nutritive value of signal grass (Brachiaria decum bens Stapf) hay. Tile hay was treated with anhydrous ammonia (3.0% DM) and introduced into tile rations for sheep with 12.00% of CP, identif ied as T1 grass hay without NH3 + cotton seed meal; T2 = treated hay ( 3.0% de NH3); T3 = treated hay (3.0% de NH3) + com grain meal; T4 = ha y + cotton seed meal + corn grain meal. nit: following coefficients of digestibility were determined for T1, T2, T3 e T4, respectively: DM ( 54.90; 55.50); 54.50; and 56.12%); NI)I: (51.36; 60.20; 55.30; and 48. 35%); ADF (47.36; 58.66; 56.03; and 47.07%); hemicellulose (58.80; 63. 32; 56.00; and 49.70%); cellulose (55.58; 71.80; 68.07; and 58.21%); l ignin (10.10; 32.18; 31.74; and 0.72%) and protein (64.6; 59.36; 56.16 ; and 70. 15%). nle N balances for T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 5.69; 3.88; 3.90; and 8,82 g N/day. It was concluded that the ammoniation was equi valent to the vegetable protein supplementation in the rations. Furthe rmore, this treatment showed a greater potential to increase fiber dig estion, particulary for ADF and cellulose.