Comparison of in vitro Digestibility and Rumen Fluid Characteristics between the Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) with Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum): An Advanced Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) and elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) on in vitro digestibility and rumen fluid characteristics. This research was carried out using a randomized block design with 3 treatments (the level of tithonia and elephant grass) and 5 replications. The following treatments were performed: T1 = 100% tithonia; T2 = 100% elephant grass; T3 = 50% tithonia + 50% elephant grass. The data were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences between the treatment means were tested using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The parameters measured were as follows: dry matter digestibility (DMD) (%), organic matter digestibility (OMD) (%), pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) (mM) and NH₃. The results revealed that DMD, OMD and VFA were significantly (P<0.01) increased by the 100% tithonia (T1), pH was lowest (P<0.01) in T1. However, T1 and T3 non-significantly affected (P>0.05) NH₃ Concentration.  The overall study indicates that tithonia plant successfully has the highest digestibility in vitro and characteristics of rumen fluid.