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Effects of Level, Form and Time of Urea Application on the Nutritive Value of Alicia Bermuda Grass¹

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803

Abstract

The effects of urea level (1.5% vs 3% Urea-NH₃), form of urea application (crystalline vs 50% aqueous solution) and time of treatment (freshly cut vs before baling) on the nutritive value of mature Alicia Bermuda grass were determined using a completely randomized design with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Urea-treated forage (UTF) was compared with either untreated forage or forage treated with 1.5% or 3% anhydrous NH₃. On day of baling (0 d), UTF had higher (P<.01) crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) than did untreated forage. Forage treated with 3% Urea-NH₃ had higher (P<.01) CP and IVOMD than did 1.5% Urea-NH₃treated forage. Application of crystalline urea resulted in lower (P<.01) CP content of forage dry matter (DM) than did urea apphed as 50% solution. Form of application had no effect (P>.10) on IVOMD. Application of urea to freshly cut forage resulted in higher (P<.05) IVOMD than that of forage treated before baling. After 60 d of storage, untreated forage had higher (P<.01) DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and hemicellulose, but had lower (P<.05) IVOMD, than respective 0-d forage. Urea-treated forage showed similar increases in fiber fractions compared with untreated forage; however, UTF showed a further increase (P<.01) in IVOMD after 60 d. Urea concentration in the UTF decreased (P<.01) after 60 d. Forage treated with 3% anhydrous NH₃ or 3% crystalline urea at time of cutting showed similar (P>.05) IVOMD that was greater (P<.05) than that for all other treatments. Results of this study are interpreted to indicate that urea has potential as a treatment to improve the nutritive value of low-quality forages.

¹ Approved for publication by the Director of the Louisiana Experiment Station as manuscript number 87-11-1186.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci.

³ Southeastern Research Station, Franklinton, LA.