This work evaluates and characterizes the carbohydrates and proteins fractions of corn, sorghum and sunflower silages. The purpose was to supply composition data that make it possible to maximize use of foods and optimize animal performance. Two corn (Zea mays) hybrids, DKB-215 and DKB-344; sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) hybrids, Ambar and AG-2005; and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) hybrids, Rumbosol and M-734; were evaluated. Sunflower silage showed the lowest total carbohydrates (TC) and B2 (cellulose and hemicelluloses) values and the highest content of C (lignin and fiber associated lignin). Corn silages showed higher non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), A+B1 (soluble sugars + starch and pectin) and TC together sorghum silage while the last one showed higher B2 due to higher stem contribution. There were differences between hybrids of sunflower for TC, when Rumbosol showed higher contents than M-734, due to the aptitude of these materials, forage and grain respectively. The sunflower silage showed higher crude protein (CP) and protein fractions. There were no differences between hybrids for CP and protein fractions values.
chemical composition; CNCPS; conserved forages; feed evaluation; forages
