Feeding value of pea (Pisum sativum, L.) - 2. Nutritional value in the pig

Nineteen round white-feed peas (FP) varieties, six coloured-flowered peas ( CP) varieties and four wrinkled white flowered peas (WP) varieties were giv en to growing pigs in order to measure their feeding value. Mean values of energy apparent digestibility measured at the faecal level of FP, CP and WP were respectively 0.886, 0.812 and 0.823. Mean values for digestible energ y were 16.34, 15.06 and 15.60 MJ/kg dry matter. Mean values of faecal appar ent digestibility of protein were 0.840, 0.760 and 0.828. The lower energy and crude protein (CP) apparent digestibility of CP relative to FP can be e xplained by their higher fibre content and by the presence of condensed tan nins whilst the lower energy and CP apparent digestibility in WP relative t o FP can be explained by their higher fibre content, their lower starch con tent and their higher amylose/ amylopectine ratio. Among the feed peas, the re was no difference between peas with low trypsin inhibitor activity and p eas with medium trypsin inhibitor activity.