Impact of lignification of corn stover fractions on cell wall degradation by rumen microorganisms and response to ammonia treatment

hanges in cell wall composition and in vitro degradation of corn stover fractions (leaf, upper stem and lower stem) with advancing maturity and in response to NH;A hypothesis of formation of reactive quinone methide intermediates from lignin during rumen fermentation was tested in vitro by incubating corn stover fractions with S-containing reducing agents. Sulphur incorporation into residual fiber occurred (P ;The impact of lignin on cellulose degradation was studied using lignocellulosic hydrogels, in which hydroxypropylated or unmodified hardwood lignin was blended with cellulose. In vitro cellulose degradation of lignocellulose blends was higher (P ;Treatment of drought-stressed corn stover with 3% aqueous NH;The in vitro response to ammoniation of fractions of drought-stressed and non-drought stressed corn stover harvested in subsequent years was compared, using N-sufficient and N-limiting buffers. Response was highest (P...