M. M. HASAN, R.A. HALIM AND ASGAR ALI
Abstract
Rire straw is a fibrous by-product and a large amount of straw is left in tbeheld unused during rice production. which is ultimately burnt as a means of disposing straw and causing podu non. Itunainan on the other hand, are able to make use of fibrous feeds into their rumen due to the presence of cellulolytic microorganism. Out highlylignified cell walls,low protein concentration and slowdigestibility collectively restrict its use as feedstuffs. Therefore, assessment of straw nutritional quality within and among thence variety and suitable pretreatment techniquos in combination with supplementation would result in improved utilization of rice straw. Considerable research efforts and different approaches aiming at improving the feeding value of rice straw hove been made for the efficient utilization of low quality rrop residues in ruminant feeding systems. But no methods appeared to be relevant end apitAr/ farms, probably none of them proved suitable under local physical and socio-econont Consequently, their application has been restricted, especially in developmg countries. Further studies are therefore needed to develop rice straw-based total mixed ration for intensive ruminant production.