Impact of Tithonia diversifolia and Pennisetum purpureum-based Ration on Nutrient Intake, Nutrient Digestibility and Milk Yield of Etawa Crossbreed Dairy Goat

Abstract

The research aimed to discover the effect of Tithonia diversifolia (TD) and Pennisetum purpureum (PP)-based ration on nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility and milk yield of Etawa crossbreed dairy goat. Sixteen Etawa crossbreed dairy goats in the second month of lactation with live weight 60-70kg were the object in this study. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used with 4 treatments and 4 replications for each treatment. The treatments were as follows: A=20% fermented palm frond (FPF) + 16% Tithonia diversifolia (TD) + 64% Pennisetum purpureum (PP), B=20% FPF + 32% TD + 48% PP, C=20% FPF + 48% TD + 32% PP and D=20% FPF + 64% TD + 16% PP. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, and the Duncan's s Multiple Range Test. The parameters examined were nutrient intake including dry matter and organic matter; protein intake; nutrient digestibility which cover dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), cellulose; hemicellulose digestibility; and milk yield. The results of the experiment showed that the combination of 64% T. diversifolia and 16% P. purpureum increased nutrient intake (P<0.05) while dry matter intake increased 2.57-3.01kg/head/day, organic matter 2.32-2.67kg/head/day and protein intake 0.32-0.48kg/head/day. Nutrient digestibility and milk yield were non-significantly different (P>0.05), although the rise of T. diversifolia did not decline nutrient digestibility and milk production. This study concluded that the combination of 64% T. diversifolia and 16% P. purpureum resulted in the best nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, and milk yield of Etawa Crossbreed Dairy Goat.