Nutritive Value of Sunflower Heads

Abstract

Practically all the previous work on the nutritive values of sunflowers has been done either on silage or on the seed itself. Several comparative studies of maize and sunflowers for silage have been conducted in Germany and the general conclusion is that sunflowers produce at least an equal, if not greater, dry matter bulk per acre. Burger and Blocker (1931) found sunflowers well suited for ensilage if cut not later than full bloom and, at this stage their yield exceeded that of maize. Brigl and Windheuser (1931) also found sunflowers to be higher yielders than maize but suggested they were not so satisfactory for ensilage because of their high fibre contents and hence their lower feeding values. Konekamp (1931) in East Germany showed sunflowers to be as productive as maize for ensilage and preferable on drier soils. Kirsch and Jantzen (1934) reported that in a comparative cultivation trial, maize and sunflower, when conserved as silage,were almost equal as starch equivalent producers. Konkl and Jirasek (1938) gave the following results from a digestibility trial in which both silages were readily eaten:-