Impact of reduced dietary crude protein levels and phytase enzyme supplementation on growth response, slurry characteristics and gas emissions of growing pigs

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of reduced dietary crude protein (CP) levels supplemented with or without exogenous phytase on growing pigs. Six dietary treatments arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangements of 3 CP levels (containing 14, 16 and 18 % CP) supplemented each with or without 5000 FTU/g phytase enzyme. Thirty growing pigs (average weight of 17.80±0.10 kg) were allotted to the six dietary treatments in a complete randomized design. The final weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio increased significantly with increasing CP levels. While, phytase supplementation improved (P = 0.044) feed conversion ratio in pigs. Total solid and volatile solid content of the slurry were higher (P = 0.001) in pigs fed 14 and 16 % CP diets supplemented with phytase when compared with other treatment groups. Concentration of methane gas emitted was lowest (P = 0.001) in the slurry of pigs fed 14 % CP diet with or without phytase and those fed 16 % CP diet with phytase supplementation. In conclusion, reduction in dietary crude protein levels resulted in reduced weight gain and poor feed conversion ratio. While, reduced CP with phytase supplementation reduced concentration of methane gas emitted.