Effects of growth stage on chemical composition, organic matter digestibility, gross energy and fatty acid content of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.).

Saffiower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), which is grown as a high-quality forage crop for dairy cattle and dairy sheep in Mediterranean conditions, has been studied to determine the chemical composition, in vitro organi c matter digestibility (IVOMD), gross energy (GE) and fatty acid (FA) profile ofthe plant during growth. Herbage samples were collected five times at progressive morphological stages rrom the late vegetative to the early flower stage. The dry matter, organic matter, fibrous rractions and GE content increased with increasing growth stage, while the ash, crude protein and IVOMD decreased during growth. Linoleic and a-linolenic acid were the two main FAs in the saffiower plant during the growth cycle and theyranged rrom 158 to 188 glkg and 521 to 586 glkg ofthe total FA, respectively. The quality and IVOMD of saffiower, like other forages, depends on the development ofthe plant and decreases with increased maturity. A forage with a good nutritive value can be obtained by harvesting saffiower at the early flowering stage.