Tithonia rotundifolia as a protein source in New Zealand/Chinchilla weaner rabbit production

Proximate analysis of Tithonia rotundifolia was conducted at Fertilizer, Farm Feeds and Remedies Institute laboratory, under the Department of Research and Specialist Services in Harare. The proximate analysis was done on a dry matter basis and the data from the analysis was incorporated in FeedWin for feed formulation. The main aspects considered in proximate analysis being the dry matter content (DM), crude protein content (CP), crude fibre content (CF), ether extract content (EE), nitrogen-free extract content (NFE), calcium content (Ca) and phosphorous content (P), which are important for the diet formulation. The samples were analysed using the procedures of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (A.O.A.C. 2005). For other feed ingredients, the researcher used the standard nutritional composition on FeedWin feed formulation software. FeedWin Interactive v1.01 software was used to formulate the diet. This software ensures the use of nutrient composition in formulating diets. The Tithonia meal was used as an inclusion in the feed, mixed with other ingredients which are maize meal, soybean meal, salt, limestone and mono-calcium-phosphate. These ingredients were used to formulate three diets with 0 %, 10 % and 20 % inclusion levels of the Tithonia meal. The inclusion of Tithonia meal in the diet formulation caused the percentage variation of other ingredients. Thus, becoming a source of variation.Data collected was daily feed intake and weekly weight gain. This data was fed into Microsoft Excel and used to calculate feed conversion efficiency. Before the commencement of the experiment, the weights of the rabbits were taken, using a digital scale for weighing. After this, the rabbits were weighed weekly for weight gain changes. Since the animals were given a predetermined amount of feed, the left-over feed was measured every morning during the feeding trial so as to calculate the feed intake. The feed conversion efficiency was then calculated after the feeding trial. Feed intake was calculated by subtracting the refusals from the feed given. The feed conversion efficiency was then calculated by dividing total feed intake with total weight gain.Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) also known as Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyse the data on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. The data was subjected to GLM repeated measures ANOVA for RCBD. Boniferroni’s test was used to separate means. Descriptive statistics were also generated which were presented in form of tables and graphs. Equality of variances was tested using Levene’s test. Wilk’s Lambda’s test was used to assess whether or not there was effect of time or interaction between time and diet.

本研究于哈拉雷研究与专家服务部下属的肥料、农场饲料与药物研究所实验室开展了圆叶肿柄菊（Tithonia rotundifolia）的常规营养成分分析。该分析以干物质为基础，所得数据被导入FeedWin饲料配方软件用于日粮配制。常规营养成分分析的核心指标包括干物质含量（DM）、粗蛋白含量（CP）、粗纤维含量（CF）、粗脂肪含量（EE）、无氮浸出物含量（NFE）、钙含量（Ca）与磷含量（P），上述指标对日粮配制至关重要。样品的检测依据美国官方分析化学家协会（A.O.A.C. 2005）的标准方法完成。对于其他饲料原料，研究者采用了FeedWin饲料配方软件内置的标准营养成分参数。本研究使用FeedWin Interactive v1.01软件进行日粮配制，该软件可依托营养组分数据完成日粮配方设计。本研究以圆叶肿柄菊粕作为添加原料，与玉米粉、豆粕、食盐、石灰石及磷酸一钙等其他原料混合，配制了3组日粮，其圆叶肿柄菊粕添加水平分别为0%、10%与20%。日粮配方中添加圆叶肿柄菊粕会导致其他原料的占比发生变化，因此该原料成为实验变量来源之一。本研究采集的数据包括日采食量与周增重。相关数据导入微软Excel（Microsoft Excel）后用于计算饲料转化率。实验开始前，使用数字秤对试验兔进行初始称重；随后每周对试验兔称重以获取增重数据。由于试验动物的饲喂量为预设值，因此在饲喂试验期间每日清晨测量剩余饲料量，以此计算实际采食量。饲喂试验结束后计算饲料转化率：采食量通过「饲喂总量-剩余饲料量」计算得出，饲料转化率则以「总采食量/总增重」计算得到。本研究采用社会科学统计软件包（Statistical Package for Social Sciences，SPSS，又名统计产品与服务解决方案）20版对采食量、增重及饲料转化率数据进行分析。数据采用随机完全区组设计（RCBD）的广义线性模型重复测量方差分析（GLM repeated measures ANOVA）进行处理，使用邦弗朗尼检验进行均值多重比较。同时生成描述性统计结果，并以表格与图形形式呈现。采用莱文检验（Levene’s test）进行方差齐性检验，使用威尔克Lambda检验（Wilk’s Lambda’s test）评估时间效应及时间与日粮的交互效应。