Evaluation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) silage of three genotypes as affected by experimental silos

A completely randomized design in a 3x3 factorial scheme was used to evaluate the effect of three genotypes and three types of silos on sunflower silage. The silos were: A- silo with Bunsen valve; B- silo with effluent-collecting equipment; and C- silo with both Bunsen valve and effluent-collecting equipment. The parameters evaluated were: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3/T-N), pH, soluble carbohydrates (CHO), organic acids, cell wall constituents, ether extract and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The silage from silos B and C had higher values of DM and lower levels of N-NH3/T-N. The pH value was the same for all silos, while the CHO was the same for silos B and C. Sunflower silage from silos with effluent-collecting equipment showed higher values of lactic acid. For fibrous fractions, EE and IVDMD, no effect of silo type was found. The Bunsen valve had no effect on the measured parameters. However, the effluent-collecting equipment affected both the quality and nutritive value of sunflower silage.