In Vitro Nutrients Digestibility of the CombinationTitonia (Tithonia diversifolia) and Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the combination Tithonia diversifolia and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) on in vitro digestibility.This research was carried out using a randomized block design with 4 treatments of the level combination ofTithonia diversifoliaandnapier grass  and 4 replications. The following treatments were performed: T1 =  20% Tithonia diversifolia + 80% napier grass; T2 =  40% Tithonia diversifolia +60% napier grass;  T3 =  60% Tithonia diversifolia + 40% napier grass; T4 =  80% Tithonia diversifolia + 20% napier 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 (%), organic matter digestibility (%), crude protein digestibility (%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (%) and Acid Detergen Fiber (ADF) digestibility (%).The results revealed that dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, crude protein digestibility, NDF digestibility and ADF digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) increased by the combination in T1. The combination of 20% Tithonia diversifolia +80% napier grass  resulted in the highest in vitronutrients digestibility