The experiment was conducted to evaluate the changes on the nitrogen compounds of the Brachiaria decumbens Stapf, jaraguá (Hyparrhenia rufa Ness Stapf) grasses hay, untreated, treated with urea (5.4% DM), urea plus lab-lab (UL-5.4% DM plus Lablab purpureus L. Sweet, cv. Highworth-3.0% DM) and anhydrous ammonia (NH3 - 3.0% DM). The chemical treatment with urea or NH3 increased the total N, neutral detergent insoluble N 9NDIN), acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN), non nitrogen protein (NNP), and the ammonical nitrogen (AN) contents. Ammoniation decreased the NDIN/TN and ADIN/TN ratios. The chemical treatment increased the NNP/TN and NA/TN ratios, and the crude protein contents. The N applied as urea or NH3 was retained as NNP and in the ammoniacal form.
ammoniation; chemical composition; nitrogen compounds; tropical grass; urea
