Effects of Microbial Phytase Replacing Partial Inorganic Phosphorus Supplementation and Xylanase on the Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility in Broilers Fed Wheat-based Diets

Two experiments were conducted with broilers to investigate the feasibility of microbial phytase replacing partial inorganic phosphorus supplementation and the synergistic effects of xylanase (320 FTU/kg) supplementation alone or in combination with phytase (750 U/kg) replacing 0.08% dietary inorganic phosphorus, on the growth performance and utilization of nutrients in broilers fed wheat-based diets. In Experiment 1, 540 broilers were fed five diets for 6 weeks. Diets C0 and C1 were corn-based diets and 0.08% inorganic P supplementation was replaced with 750 U phytase/kg feed in Diet C1. Diets W0, W1 and W2 were wheat-based diets supplemented with microbial phytase 0, 750, 750 U/kg feed and 0, 0.08% and 0.16% dietary inorganic P were replaced, respectively. In Experiment 2, 432 broilers were divided into four treatments to determine the synergistic effects of supplemental xylanase and phytase replacing 0.08% inorganic P. Four experimental diets were arranged according to a $2{\times}2$ factorial design. The results indicated that addition of phytase increased the digestibility of phytic P by 31.0 to 55%, dramatically decreased the excretion of phytic P and total P by 31.6 to 55.0% and 13.8 to 32.9%, respectively (p<0.01). It is feasible to completely replace 0.08% inorganic phosphorus supplementation with microbial phytase 750 U/kg in corn- or wheat-based diets for broilers. Addition of xylanase alone or in combination with phytase replacing 0.08% dietary inorganic P, increased body weight gain and feed utilization efficiency of broilers fed wheat-based diets (p<0.10) and decreased overall mortality (p<0.10). In the groups of birds supplementing xylanase 320 FTU/kg feed, a marked elevation of the dietary AME was observed (p<0.05). Addition of phytase replacing 0.08% dietary inorganic phosphorus, concurrently with xylanase supplementation had additive effects on the apparent digestibility of dietary phytic P and overall feed conversion ratio (p<0.05).