Tithonia diversifolia potential for forage production: selection of accessions occurring in Cerrado and Atlantic Forest Biomes in Brazil

ABSTRACT Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) is an invasive shrub of tropical and subtropical regions of the world, however, it has characteristics favorable to its use as an alternative forage source. The species' potential for use in animal feeding motivates us to evaluate your characteristics and productivity of T. diversifolia accessions from regions in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest for cultivation as forage. T. diversifolia accessions were cultivated in the field and evaluated throughout the year in four seasons/cuts. The accessions showed high daily forage accumulation and crude protein content between 13.2 and 18.3%, with fiber content without limitation to animal consumption and digestibility. The photosynthetic rate and the efficiency of water use showed no variation between genotypes of T. diversifolia. The MC, DIA, PM, NL, and SRS accessions are indicated for use as forage, as they have higher production, protein, growth, and good chemical-bromatological characteristics.