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Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances

Year: 2010 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 175-179
DOI: 10.3923/ajava.2010.175.179
Study of Chemical Composition and Quality Characteristics of Corn, Sunflower and Corn-Sunflower Mixture Silages
E. Mafakher, M. Meskarbashee, P. Hassibi and M.R. Mashayekhi

Abstract: This study was carried out to determine chemical composition and quality characteristics of corn and sunflower ensiled alone and the mixtures (fresh matter basis) of corn and sunflower at differing rates included 75% corn plus 25% sunflower (C75S25), 50% corn plus 50% sunflower (C50S50), 25% corn plus 75% sunflower (C25S75). Whole corn and sunflower plants were chopped at milk-dough seed stage and ensiled in plastic jars for 45 days. At this experiment, forage characteristics of corn and sunflower plants pre ensiling and dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ash, pH, flieg point and physical characteristics (smell, structure and color) of silages were measured. Corn and sunflower plants had significantly differences in terms of dry and fresh forage yield, dry matter, crude protein, total water soluble sugars and starch amount. Among the silages, highest crude protein (12.87%), ash (16.5%) and pH value (4.3) were determined from sunflower silage alone (p<0.01) and declined in the mixtures with increasing levels of corn in silage. While, flieg point (103.01) was greater in corn silage alone. In addition mixing corn and sunflower forage in silo improved silage feeding value and best mixing was 50% corn plus 50% sunflower.

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How to cite this article
E. Mafakher, M. Meskarbashee, P. Hassibi and M.R. Mashayekhi, 2010. Study of Chemical Composition and Quality Characteristics of Corn, Sunflower and Corn-Sunflower Mixture Silages. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 175-179.

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