Intra and inter raw material variations in phosphorus digestibility of several cereals and peas in growing pigs

A trial was undertaken, using growing pigs (45-49kg), in order to estimate the intra and inter feedstuff variability of the digestibility of total phosphorus (P) and phytate P in wheat, triticale, barley, maize and peas. The intra feedstuff variability of P digestibility was generally low; however P digestibility in maize was more variable. Wheat, triticale and peas had the highest P digestibilities (respectively 52.0, 51.0, 49.0%), barley was intermediate (41.5%) and maize had the lowest value (27.3%). However, two of the maize varieties tested, which had low phytate P levels, had high P digestibility values (53.4%). The ranking of P digestibility between different feedstuffs was consistent with what previously observed by other authors. Phytase activity appeared to be a good criterion with which to predict P digestibility in wheat, triticale and barley, while phytate P was a good predictor in the case of maize and peas. Faecal phytate P digestibilities were very high and no intra or inter feedstuff differences were observed.