NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND IN VITRO DRY MATTER DEGRADABILITY IN MEXICAN SUNFLOWER: Tithonia diversifolia Helms (Gray)
Authors: Hernández-Arboleda Ximena , Ortiz-Grisales Sanín , Vivas-Arturo Walter Fernando , Fernández-Romay Yulien , La O-León Orestes , Luiz-Abdalla Adibe , Pérez-Márquez Simón , Ledea Rodríguez José Leonardo 
Published: July 2024

<p><strong>Background</strong>: <em>Tithonia diversifolia</em> Helms (Gray), is a robust shrubby forage plant with high integral biomass yield (stem and leaves); susceptible to heliophany and conditioning of bromatological characteristics, nutritional value, and modification of the rumen environment is due to genetic variability between genotypes. <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the macromolar quality of the biomass of introductions <em>T. diversifolia</em> Helms (Gray) established in two locations, and the nutritional value, gas production and <em>in vitro</em> rumen environment promoted by the whole plant biomass established in Ecuador. <strong>Methodology:</strong> The chemical composition of the full plant (PITD) was considered based on Dry Matter (DM), Organic Matter (OM), Mineral composition (MC), Crude Protein (CP), neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF). I<em>n vitro</em> gas production was evaluated according to Ankom Technology, considering Tiffon 85 there (<em>Cynodon dactylon</em>) at control, quantified or ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH<sub>3</sub>), short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and pH. The experiment was developed in a completely randomized design in factorial arrangement with three repetitions for the variable chemical composition, and the <em>in vitro</em> digestibility of the date processed through a random complete block design with six repetitions, in the ruminal ambient and production SCFA was analyzed through a completely randomized block design with three repetitions. <strong>Results:</strong> There were variable responses in the DM content for the effect of interaction P &lt;0.01, and higher mineral content in El Carmen, Ecuador for introduction 13.5, with respect to the rest of the cultivars in both locations. NDF was significantly expressed (p&lt;0.001) in variety 1.2 that grew in Candelaria, Ecuador. For the rest of the variables, no differences were recorded (P&gt;0.05). The gas production of the introductions, except for 1.2, was similar to that produced by the control (Tifton 85), however, in the degradability of the OM, net gas production (Net GP) of DM and OM, stood out. introduction 1.2 compared to the control (P&lt;0.01) and the rest of the introductions. The net GP of NDF exceeded 1.2 (p&lt;0.02) than the control, also quantitatively to produce Acetic and Propionic Fatty Acid. <strong>Implications:</strong> The introductions of <em>T. diversifolia</em> Helms Gray based on the results obtained preserve macromolar characteristics, gas production and SCVFA production (short chain volatile fatty acids) in contrasting ecosystems such as Valle del Cauca, Colombia and Manabi in Ecuador. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The introductions of <em>T. diversifolia</em> Helms Gray, maintain a good protein composition, produce low methane contents, have high performance in the fermentation of organic matter and the cell wall, which suggests its future use as a complement to the ration in conditions in conditions Edaphoclimatic of the province of Manabi.</p>