Utilization of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw-alfalfa combinations by ruminants
Atwell, David Gamble
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/21514
Description
Title
Utilization of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw-alfalfa combinations by ruminants
Author(s)
Atwell, David Gamble
Issue Date
1990
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Merchen, Neal R.
Department of Study
Animal Sciences
Discipline
Animal Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Agriculture, Animal Culture and Nutrition
Language
eng
Abstract
Several experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding combinations of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw (AHP-WS) and alfalfa on nutrient intake and digestibility and ruminal characteristics of both mature sheep (experiments 1 and 2) and growing dairy heifers (experiment 3). Additionally, the effect of feeding combinations of these two forages on in situ digestion kinetics of both AHP-WS and alfalfa was examined (experiment 4). Diets in all experiments consisted of an 80:20 forage:concentrate ratio on a dry matter (DM) basis. Dietary designations were based on DM ratios of AHP-WS:alfalfa. For example, diet 53:27 contained 53% AHP-WS and 27% alfalfa.
When combinations of the forages were offered for ad libitum intakes (experiments 1 and 3), significant (P $<$.05) positive associative effects were noted for organic matter intake (OMI). In experiment 1, OMI was approximately 15% higher when combinations of the forages were fed than when either forage was fed separately. In experiment 3 the greatest increase in OMI occurred when the lowest level of alfalfa was added (diet 53:27). Organic matter intake increased 14% when comparing diet 53:27 to diet 80:0. Total tract digestibility (TTD) of OM (as a % of OMI) was unaffected by diet averaging 69 and 64% for experiments 1 and 3, respectively.
When combinations of the forages were fed at restricted levels of intake (experiment 2), modest positive associative effects were noted for TTD of OM. Additionally, in situ data from experiment 4 confirmed the hypothesis that feeding combinations of the two forages would result in a ruminal environment more suitable to fiber degradation. Rates of disappearance of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and some hemicellulose neutral monosaccharides were greater for both AHP-WS and alfalfa when incubated in animals fed combinations of the two forages than when incubated in animals fed either forage alone.
The results of experiments 2 and 4 suggest that TTD of OM should have been improved when combinations of the forages were fed in experiments 1 and 3. However, under ad libitum feeding conditions, while intake of digestible nutrients is improved when combinations of AHP-WS and alfalfa are fed, ruminal flow dynamics are such that TTD of OM remains unaffected.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
