Yield Properties of Sunflower Herbage Harvested At Different Stages and Effects of Increasing Levels Enzyme Supplements on Silage Quality

Özet

This study aimed to identify the effect of different levels of fibrolytic enzyme added to sunflower herbage harvested at various stages on silage fermentation quality and dry matter yield. Silage from green sunflower herbage harvested at blooming, milk and dough stages were grouped according to stage at harvesting and amount of fibrolytic enzyme complex (0, 1 ml/kg DM, 1.5 ml/kg DM and 2.5ml/kg DM) added at ensiling. Dry matter and green yields of sunflower herbage at blooming, milking and dough stages increased with delays in vegetation period (P<0.05). Silage DM, CF and CC contents increased with delays in harvesting. Silage CP, NDF and ADF contents were also higher in sunflower herbage harvested at milk stage when compared to blooming stage (P<0.05). The pH was also higher in sunflower herbage harvested at dough stage when compared to blooming stage; acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations were all higher as well, although there were no differences in lactic acid concentrations among harvesting periods (P<0.05). Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the addition of 1 ml/kg DM fibrolytic enzyme upon ensiling of green sunflower herbage harvested in the dough period results in highly silage quality.