Conservation Characteristics and Nutritive Value of Sunflower Silages as Affected by The Maturity Stages and Fibrolytic Enzymes

Silage quality and nutritive value of sunflower silages ensiled with different level of fibrolytic enzymes at blooming, milk and dough stages were investigated. Fibrolytic enzyme complex (Viscozyme® L, V2010 Sigma Novozyme) was applied 0, 1, 1.5 and 2.5 ml/kgDM at ensiling. The dry matter (DM) yield increased with each increment of the maturity stage. Dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and crude cellulose (CC) contents of silages increased also in each delay in harvesting, while crude protein (CP), NDF and ADF contents of silages were the highest in blooming stage. The pH was higher in sunflower silage harvested at dough stage when compared to blooming stage, while acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations were all higher in blooming stage, although there were no differences in lactic acid concentrations among harvesting periods. Although silage structural carbohydrate composition was not significantly affected by any enzyme dose, Dose III enzyme treatment at the dough was associated with the highest concentration of lactic acid. Overall, there was no profound effect of enzyme supplementation on nutritive value and silage characteristics of sunflower silage.