Ammoniated sugarcane bagasse associated with cottonseed in sheep diets

P.P.P. Publio, A.J.V. Pires, I.C. Dutra*, M.P. Sousa, G.C. Figueiredo, H.O. Santos, G.R.S. Oliveira, E.P.L. Ferreira, A.F. Santos, P.H.S. Cardoso, F.A. Teixeira and M.L.P. Albuquerque

State University of Southwest of Bahia, BR45700-000 Itapetinga, Bahia, Brazil
*Correspondence: ingriidyduutra@gmail.com

Abstract:

The experiment was carried out in the goat farming sector and forage laboratory at UESB, with the objective of evaluating the association of ammoniated sugarcane bagasse with cottonseed in sheep diets. The experimental period was 21 days, with 17 days for animal adaptation and 4 days for data collection. The test was conducted in a double 4×4 Latin square, in a 2×2 factorial scheme, with the factors being ammoniated sugarcane bagasse at 30 or 50% and cottonseed at 0 or 20% inclusion, in the dry matter of the total diet. The digestibility test took place between the 18^th and 21^st days of each period. For this purpose, leftovers and feces from each animal were quantified and collected during this period. The interaction was not significant in any of the variables studied for sugarcane bagasse and cottonseed, nor was there any effect for the addition of cottonseed to the diets, for dry matter intake kg day^-1, %PC and g per kg^0.75. The nitrogen balance was positive, as the nitrogen ingested was greater than the nitrogen excreted in urine and feces, indicating that the animal retained protein, meeting its protein requirements. The inclusion of cottonseed resulted in lower digestibility averages. This reduction can be attributed to the lignin content present in the diets studied, since cottonseed has a higher lignin concentration than the other foods analyzed. The use of cottonseed and the increase in the inclusion level of sugarcane bagasse by 50% resulted in an increase in the time spent by animals in feeding, ruminating and chewing activities. Furthermore, a reduction in consumption and rumination efficiency was observed, which correlated with a decrease in dry matter intake. The level of 30% sugar cane bagasse associated with 20% cotton seed promoted greater consumption of dry matter.

Key words:

ammonization, digestibility, intake, urea