“In situ” fiber degradability of sugar cane bagasse treated with alkaline solutions and protein degradability of cotton seed mal, with canulated steers

Abstract

Sugar cane bagasse (SCB) was immersed either in water (B), or in sodium hydroxide solution 2% (D), or in wood ashes solution 30% (C), or was supplemented with buffers in the concentrate mixture: (sodium bicarbonate, 1,1% and magnesium oxide 0,7% of ration dry matter (DM)), to evaluate this residue for ruminant feeding, receiving diets with 30% of DM as SCB. Four rumen canulated steers were used to estimate ruminal degradability rates of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the SCB in situ, as well as DM and CP degradabilities of the cotton seed meal, using a 4 x 4 change-over design. Results showed higher DM degradabilities for SCB or treatment D, and also for NDF, but in 72 h and 96 h of incubatio times. Cotton seed meal presented similar rates of degradabilities among all treatments. Treatment D was efficient to improve SCB rumen degradability.