Availability to White Rats of Phosphorus in Lespedeza Sericea and Alfalfa Hays

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Abstract
When the experimental diets contain phosphorus at a minimal level of adequacy and all other nutrients at optimal levels and the same for all diets, the phosphorus of a low phosphorus lespedeza sericea or alfalfa hay is less available to the rat for growth and bone development than the phosphorus of a high phosphorus hay of the same type. A diet containing 0.16% phosphorus and a Ca/P ratio of 3 to 1 is just about minimal for normal growth and phosphorus retention when the diet is fed ad libitum or in slightly restricted amounts. The paired feeding method eliminates the variable of different food consumptions.