Wheat Phosphorus Availability: 2—In VivoStudy in Broilers and Pigs; Relationship with Endogenous Phytasic Activity and Phytic Phosphorus Content in Wheat

Abstract

In order to reduce the P concentration in manure, P availability in different plant feedstuffs should be determined. Wheat P availability has been studied by the digestive balance technique on broilers and pigs. Nineteen wheat samples were tested on broilers, giving a mean P retention of 57% (45–70%). P retention was observed to be linearly associated with the endogenous phytasic activity in wheats (r=0·58;P<0·05). This variability in P retention cannot be satisfactorily explained by the phytic P content of wheat. Four wheat samples were tested on pigs, giving a mean apparent P digestibility of 40%.