The Effect of <i>Tithonia diversifolia</i> Substitution on The Digestibility of Livestock Nutrients

Abstract This study analyzed the substitution effect of Tithonia diversifolia as an alternative concentrate in dairy cattle feed to overcome the challenges of high feed costs and dependence on imported materials. Conventional concentrates generally consist of high-quality materials such as corn and rice bran, rich in protein and energy. However, their unstable availability and high prices are obstacles for farmers, especially in areas with limited access. Therefore, a more efficient and sustainable local feed alternative is needed. Tithonia diversifolia , or paitan, has a relatively high crude protein, mineral, and fiber content, so it has the potential to replace concentrates without sacrificing digestibility and nutritional efficiency. This study used a Randomized Block Design with four treatments, namely A (50% pakchong grass + 35% Tithonia + 14% concentrate + 1% mineral), B (50% pakchong grass + 40% Tithonia + 9% concentrate + 1% mineral), C (50% pakchong grass + 45% Tithonia + 4% concentrate + 1% mineral), and D (50% pakchong grass + 49% Tithonia + 1% mineral) which were each repeated four times. The variables measured included crude fiber content, crude fat, and digestibility of nitrogen-free extract. The results showed that the treatments significantly affected the three parameters (P &lt;0.05), where Treatment B significantly increased feed digestibility. In addition to having high nutritional value, Tithonia diversifolia is also easy to cultivate, grows quickly, and adapts to various environmental conditions, making it a more economical and sustainable local feed alternative. Thus, substituting Tithonia diversifolia in dairy cattle feed reduces production costs, increases the efficiency of local resource utilization, and supports a more environmentally friendly livestock system.