THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF TEF STRAW AND ITS RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL TREATMENT WITH ALKALI

Abstract

The nutritional characters of tef straw from Awassa Woreda were studied by both chemical and biological means. Relative to some common roughages, tef straw is of lower crude fibre (32.1 %) but higher soluble carbohydrates (59.5%) value. Its crude protein content (2.92%) is however very low. The adequacy of its major and trace minerals is controversial. In a feeding trial with diets containing tef straw, untreated tef straw was poorly consumed by lambs. Alkali treatment was effective in improving its palatability and in enhancing the efficiency of utilization of the ration for growth. The impact of alkali treatment of tef straw on the digestibility of the dry and organic matter of the ration was insignificant.