Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Characteristics of Poor Quality Roughage
Which of the following is true about straw & stovers (poor quality roughage)?
- Deficient in minerals
- Poor digestibility
- Poor in crude protein
- All the above — Correct Answer
Explanation:
Correct Answer: All the above
All three characteristics are true about straw and stovers (poor quality roughage) — they are deficient in minerals, have poor digestibility, and are poor in crude protein.
Straw & Stovers — Nutritional Profile
| Parameter | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Minerals | Deficient | Low in Ca, P etc.; but rich in silica |
| Crude Protein (CP) | Poor | CP only 3–4%; DCP = 0% |
| TDN/Energy | Low | TDN ~40% |
| Digestibility | Poor | ~46% only (normal straw) |
| Crude Fibre | High | Physically bulky, low density |
Improving Straw Quality
- Urea treatment → DCP 0→4–5%, TDN 40→50%, Digestibility 46→70%
- Physical treatment: chopping, grinding, pelleting, steam under pressure
- Chemical treatment: NaOH, Ca(OH)₂, KOH, NH₄OH
- Biological treatment: white-rot fungi, mushrooms, cellulase enzymes
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Each individual statement is correct — all three together make "All the above" the complete answer
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.