BALANÇO DE NITROGÊNIO E SÍNTESE DA PROTEÍNA MICROBIANA EM VACAS LEITEIRAS ALIMENTADAS COM BAGAÇO DE CANA AMONIZADO ASSOCIADO À PALMA

Quantification of rumen microbial protein synthesis is important for ruminants’ nutrition. Protein requirements of ruminants are met by intestinal absorption of amino acids, mainly from rumen-synthesized microbial protein and non-degraded dietary protein in the rumen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen balance and the microbial protein production of dairy cows submitted to diets with ammoniated sugarcane bagasse associated with forage palm. Eight crossbred ½ Dutch/Zebu blood cows were distributed in two 4x4 Latin squares, in a factorial scheme of 2x2, with sugarcane bagasse ammoniated with 3 or 6%. Forage palm was used to compose the total diet DM in 18 or 36%. No interaction of urea levels was observed in ammonization of sugarcane bagasse and forage palm for any of the variables, which were evaluated separately. It is recommended using ammoniated sugarcane bagasse with 3% of urea, in dry matter, associated with forage palm in 36% of the total diet