Efeitos da amonizaçao sobre o valor nutritivo do feno de capim-braquiária

This work was conducted to determine the effects of ammoniation and supplementation on the nutritive value of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) hay. The hay was treated with anhydrous ammonia (3,0 percent DM) and introduced into the rations for sheep with 12 percent of CP, identified as T1 = grass hay withou NH3 + cotton seed meal; T2 = treated hay (3.0 percent de NH3); T3 = treated hay (3.0 percent de NH3) + corn grain meal; T4 = hay + cotton seed meal + corn grain meal. The following coefficients of digestibility were determined for T1, T2, T3 e T4, respectively: DM (54.9; 55.50; 54.50 and 56,12 percent); NDF (51.36; 60.20; 55.30 and 48.35 percent); ADF (47.36; 58.66, 56.03 and 47.07 percent), hemicellulose (58.80; 63.32; 56.00 and 49.70 percent); cellulose (55.58; 71.80; 68.07 and 58.21 percent); lignin (10.10, 32.18; 31.74, and 0.72 percent) and protein (64.6; 59.36; 56.16; and 70.15 percent). The 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 equivalent to the vegetable protein supplementation in the rations. Furthermore, this treatment showed a greater potential to increase fiber digestion, particularly for ADF and cellulose eng