Authors : Vaheed Chekani-Azar , Rezaa Valizadeh , Saeed Chekani-Azar , Naser Maheri Sis , Habib Agdam Shahriar and Farhan Ahadi
Abstract: Degradability characteristics of Dry Matter (DM) was estimated in wheat straw treated by different levels of Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) using the nylon bag technique for an incubation time of 72 h using permanently fistuated steers. The chemical composition was determined by laboratory analysis. Four levels of SO2 including 0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5% (W/W as DM) were applied for 2 or 4 days. These levels of sulfur dioxide plus 2 levels of NaOH including 0 and 4% were applied to the wheat straw for a period of 4 days in the second experiment. The results indicated that the sulfur dioxide treating of wheat straw had significantly effect (p<0.01) on dry matter degradability increase in compared to the untreated samples. The duration of sulfur dioxide application was also significantly (p<0.01) effective in upgrading the wheat straw degradability. NaOH treatment also led to significantly higher degradation values. The best effetive level of sulfur dioxide and NaOH on wheat straw degradability was 5 and 4%, respectively. The average level of wheat straw degradation for the mentioned level of sulfur dioxide and NaOH was 71.3% whereas the value for the untreated straw was only 48.9%. The mean values of the Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) were not showed significant different. It was concluded that treating low-quality roughages with the both chemical (SO2 and NaOH) could be a practical method for increasing the feeding value of the wheat straw and other similar rougheges.
Vaheed Chekani-Azar , Rezaa Valizadeh , Saeed Chekani-Azar , Naser Maheri Sis , Habib Agdam Shahriar and Farhan Ahadi , 2008. The Effect of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) on Chemical Composition and Degradability of Wheat Straw. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 160-164.