Energy Value of Amaranth (Amaranthus hypohondriacus L.) Grain Estimated in Experiments with Ganders

D. PENKOV¹ and D. PAVLOV²

¹ Agricultural University, BG-4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
² Thracian University, BG-6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Abstract

PENKOV, D. and D. PAVLOV, 2000. Energy value of amaranth (Amaranthus hypohondriacus L.) grain estimated in experiments with ganders. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 6: 219-222

Energy value of amaranth (Amaranthus hypohondriacus) seeds was estimated in balance experiments with ganders. Gross energy value of the feed and faeces was estimated by calorimeter and was calculated also by the chemical composition and equation of Schiemann et al. (1971), and correction to zero nitrogen balance by King et al. (1997):
The investigated amaranth – seeds contained in dry matter 189.8 g/kg crude protein, 94.7 g/kg crude fat, 30.4 g/kg crude fibre, 658.0 g/kg nitrogen free extracts and 27.1 g/kg ash. Gross energy value established by calorimeter is 20.133 MJ/kg dry matter.
Apparent and true metabolisable energy of the seeds established in the experiments with gander are 13.72 and 16.32 MJ/ kg dry matter respectively and metabolizability of the gross energy 68.15 and 81.19 respectively.
The coefficients of transformation of the gross energy of amaranth seeds in the experiments with gander in apparent and true metabolisable energy are lower compared to those of maize, wheat and barley and higher compared to those of oats, peas, chick pea. Amaranth seeds belong to meadium energy feeds and could be included in the compound feeds especially for old geese in the non laying period.

Key words: Amaranthus hypohondriacus L., energy value, gangers