EFFECT OF MICROBIAL PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATI ON ON PERFORMANCE DATA AND DIGESTIBILITY OF PHOSPHORUS, CALCIUM AND NITROGEN AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CALCIUM SUPPLY IN PIGLETS

In a 2factorial experiment with piglets microbial phytase was added to the diet (barley, corn and soy extracts) in levels of 0 U/kg, 300 U/k g, 600 U/kg, 1000 U/kg at different dietary Ca contents (0.65%, 0.81%) . The P content was 0.46%. The phytase supplementation improved the pe rformance data of the animals as well as apparent digestibilities of P and Ca, however with decreasing success at the highest phytase level. Digestibilities of dry matter and N changed in a curvilinear manner w ith increasing phytase level, exhibiting a maximum at 600 U/kg. High d ietary Ca contents reduced the digestibilities of P, dry matter and N. 1000 U phytase were calculated to replace 1 g of mineral P.