National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology. Adugodi, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560 030, India
Forty-two varieties of sunflower heads (SFH) were analyzed for proximate composition, cell wall constituents and in vitro digestibility to compare and assess the varietal differences. The chemical composition and digestibility values of SFH revealed the superiority to conventional roughages like cereal straws and stovers in terms of higher protein and lower Tiber levels. The proximate principles and digestibility values across the varieties were highly significant (P < 0.01) which could also be due to improper removal of seeds or presence of partially filled seeds, in addition to varietal differences.
Sunflower heads, composition, In-vitro digestibility and varietal difference
