Chemical composition and digestibility of hays of three grasses ammonized with urea

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ammoniation with urea on the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of Rhynchelytrum repens, Aristida setifolia and Eleusine indica grasses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with a 3×2 factorial treatment (hay of three species, treated with or without urea) and five replications. The contents of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, mineral matter, lignin, total carbohydrates and digestibility were evaluated in the grass (R. repens, A. setifolia e E. indica). The treatment with urea affected (p < 0.05) most of the variables analyzed in grass hays. Hay treated with urea showed an increase in crude protein levels and the highest value was observed for the hay of Eleusine indica grass. Rhynchelytrum repens grass hay presented the highest fiber value in acid detergent, with and without urea. An increase in vitro dry matter digestibility was observed after the use of urea. It is concluded that ammonization with 5% urea improves the nutritional values of hay in Rhynchelytrum repens, Aristida setifolia and Eleusine indica grasses, increasing the levels of protein, minerals and digestibility