News from the Midwest Sectional Meetings, March 16-18, 1998, Des Moines, Iowa
Contacts:
Gary Cromwell, University of Kentucky (606) 257-7534
Randy Weckman, University of Kentucky (606) 257-3937
University of Kentucky Animal Scientists Investigate Corn Variety to Reduce Pollution
What started as an observation of a mutation in a corn seed may turn out to be one of the most important discoveries in the quest to minimize phosphorus pollution from animal waste. Early testing by University of Kentucky animal scientists indicates that a new corn variety carrying the mutant gene may cut down the amount of phosphorus in animal waste by 20 to 30 percent or more.
Gary Cromwell and James Pierce, animal scientists at the University of Kentucky, fed pigs corn containing the mutant gene and found the animals performed well. According to Cromwell, conventional corn varieties contain phosphorus, but mostly as phytic acid, a form that can't be readily used by the pig. Because the pigs can't use most of the phosphorus in the grain they eat, most of it passes through the pigs in waste. In addition, swine producers must feed a phosphorus supplement to growing pigs to ensure they have enough of the readily-available type of the mineral.
The new corn contains phosphorus that is readily available to animals. In fact, the phosphorus in the corn is three to four times more available than it is in conventional corn. As a consequence, animals fed the new corn variety excrete less phosphorus in their manure. It also means that producers don't have to feed as much supplemental phosphorus, he said.
"This finding is very significant. It means that less supplemental phosphorus can be used in pig diets when this new variety of corn is fed. And that will reduce the amount of phosphorus that is excreted in waste maybe by 20 to 30 per cent or more," he said.
The researchers also tested the new corn variety in studies with growing chicks and found similar results. The mutant gene, called lpa-1 (low phytic acid -1), was first discovered by Victor Raboy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The gene was introduced into a line of corn by PioneerHi-Bred International. Seed stock for commercial planting should be available in a few years.
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