Final answer:
The application of anhydrous ammonia to hay increases non-protein nitrogen levels, which is beneficial for ruminant livestock diets. It is soluble, hygroscopic, and aids in nitrogen fixation, improving crop competition with weeds, although it might reduce cellulose digestion efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The application of anhydrous ammonia to bales of hay is primarily to increase the availability of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) for ruminant animals. Anhydrous ammonia, which is NH₃, is a form of nitrogen that can be used by microorganisms in the rumen to synthesize protein. The ammonia reacts with the hay to increase the concentration of NPN, aiding in the dietary requirements of the livestock. Ammonia is hygroscopic and highly soluble, which contributes to its effective use in agriculture as described by the formula 100% CO(NH₂)₂, that eventually converts to ammonia, aiding in nitrogen fixation and thereby improving crop yield.
This nitrogen fixation is essential for plant growth and helps crops to compete more effectively with weeds, leading to higher yields. However, one side effect of the process is that anhydrous ammonia can reduce cellulose digestion efficiency because the enzymes responsible for digesting cellulose cannot effectively bind to altered active sites in cellulose, a situation which might not be conducive to lignin digestibility, solubility of the cell or reducing storage losses.