Evaluación del Botón de Oro (Tithonia diversifolia) con diferentes porcentajes en la alimentación de cerdos en la Estación Agropecuaria de la Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

Abstract

Abstract: This thesis evaluated the potential of Buttercup, a forage plant with high protein and fiber content, used as an alternative to reduce costs in swine diets. The objective was to evaluate the inclusion of different percentages of Buttercup flour in the feed of pigs from 71 to 112 days of age. A completely randomized block design with four replicates per treatment was used, with a total of 12 pigs: control (0%), T1 (15%), and T2 (20%) inclusion, for 42 days. Productive variables (weight, gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) did not show significant differences between treatments (ANOVA p>0.05; p=1.00), although slight numerical trends toward lower daily gain and higher feed conversion ratio were observed in T2 (20%), these were not statistically significant. Economic analysis showed that all three treatments were profitable (B/C>1), although the control treatment yielded the highest profit margin. The diets with 15% and 20% Tithonia diversifolia meal also covered costs and generated profit. Overall, the results suggest that Tithonia diversifolia meal can be incorporated in moderation as a feed supplement.