EFFECT OF UREA TREATMENT ON THE DIGESTIBILITY AND NITROGEN-CONTENT OFAMARANTHUS-HYPOCHONDRIACUS STRAW

A study was carried out in order to improve amaranth straw digestibili ty and nitrogen content by treating it with 3% or 5% urea during two p eriods of time (30 and 45 days, respectively). Treatments were: (A) co ntrol; (B) 3% urea-30 days; (C) 5% urea-30 days; (D) 3% urea-45 days; and (E) 5% urea-45 days. Results showed there was a crude protein incr ement from 3.5% (A) to 14.9% (E) (P<0.01). There were no significant c hanges for crude fibre nor other fibre fractions (P>0.01). There was n o change for crude energy. Nitrates were on average 0.17% for treatmen t E, and 0.25% for B. Oxalates were 1.03% in treatment C and 2.75% in the control group. Urea treatments improved nitrogen contents, and dig estibility, and provided an alternative source for animal feeding from one of the oldest vegetable resources in Mexico.