Apparent and true total tract digestibility of phosphorus in field peas (Pisum sativum L.) by growing pigs

The apparent (ATTD) and true (TTTD) total tract digestibility of P in field peas were measured using growing pigs. Two diets based on field peas without or with microbial phytase were formulated. A P-free diet was also formulated to measure endogenous losses of P. Results of the experiment showed that the ATTD and TTTD of P in field peas with microbial phytase (65.9 and 72.3%, respectively) were greater (P < 0.01) than in field peas without microbial phytase (55.0 and 60.8%, respectively). The addition of microbial phytase to field peas also reduced (P < 0.01) the excretion of P in the feces (from 5.77 to 4.09 g/5 d).