Advances in Biological Research 11 (1): 41-50, 2017 ISSN 1992-0067 © IDOSI Publications, 2017 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.abr.2017.41.50 Corresponding Author: Daniel Taddesse, Departement of Dairy and Meat Technology, Haramaya University College of Agro- Industry and Land Resource, Chiro, Ethiopia. 41 In sacco Dry Matter Degradability of Urea and Effective Microorganism (EM) Treated Sorghum (Sorghum biclor L. Moench) Stover Daniel Taddesse, Mengistu Urge, Gebeyehu Goshu and Zemelak Goraga 1 2 3 4 Department of Dairy and Meat Technology, 1 Haramaya University College of Agro-industry and Land Resource, Chiro, P.O. Box: 226, Ethiopia Haramaya University, School of Animal & Range Sciences, Dire Dewa, P.O. Box: 138, Ethiopia 2 College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, P.O. Box: 34, Ethiopia 3 Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Bishoftu, P.O. Box: 32, Ethiopia 4 Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of urea and effective microorganisms (EM) on chemical composition and in sacco dry matter degradability of sorghum (Sorghum biclor L. Moench) stover. The treatments of the experiment included Untreated control (T1), Effective microorganism (EM) (T2), Urea (T3) and EM plus Urea treated sorghum stover (T4) and all were ensiled for 21 days. Chemical analysis and in sacco dry matter degradability (DMD) of the ensiled sorghum stover were conducted. The organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of all treatment types decreased (90.80, 91.7 and 91.6%) and (73.83, 72.23 and 75.00%), respectively but the crude protein (CP) (5.33, 12.97 and 8.73%) and mineral matter (MM) (9.17, 8.30 and 8.33% for T2, T3 and T4, respectively) respectively increased as compared to the control (T1). The in sacco DM degradability parameters increased by the additives treatment as compared to T1. Urea treatment showed the highest soluble (29.85%), insoluble but potentially soluble (40.10%), potential degradable (69.69%) and effective degradability (51.34%) fractions than the other treatments. The DM degradation increased with increasing the incubation time across all treatments. The rate of degradation decreased in the order of T3 > T4 > T2 > T1. All the treatments had improved the nutritive value of the sorghum stover. However, the urea treatment was more effective in improving the chemical composition and degradability of sorghum stover. Therefore, we recommend treatment of sorghum stover with urea for dry season feeding of cattle. Key words: Dry Matter Effective Microorganisms In Sacco Degradation Sorghum Stover Urea INTRODUCTION livestock sector in Ethiopia [1]. Like most parts in The major source of feed in Ethiopia is cereal diseases, market, land and water related problems are straw/stover comprising about 48.2 % of the feed persistent challenges of cattle production [2]. The major available. Pasture, aftermath, fallow land and wood land livestock feed sources in this area are crop residues, grazing comprise 17.2, 13.4, 10.8 and 2.5 %, respectively. natural pasture hay and commercially available industrial About 7.9 % the remaining available feed are contributed by products [3,4]. Among the crop residues, maize and by other feeds [1]. The amount of crop residues produced sorghum stover are predominantly found in West from cereal straws (barely, wheat, tef, oats, rice and maize) Hararghe [2]. and stovers (millet, sorghum and pulse crops) per annum In West Hararghe, along with the crop production dry matter is 29,155,077 ton dry matter (tDM) and it has farmers give more emphasis for livestock feed. They the highest contribution to the total feed supply in cultivate sorghum and maize with high seeding rate in Ethiopia. As a result, most cereal straws and stovers have order to have high biomass for thinning and feeding to lower nutritive value. Therefore, poor nutrition and feed cattle. Thinned sorghum and maize seedlings and shortages are main causes for the poor performance of the defoliated leaves after maturity, sweet potato leaves, Ethiopia, in West Hararghe feed shortage, livestock