Investigation on the variation of chemical composition and in vitro nutritive value of spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) for ruminants.

Spelt has gained growing interest in Europe in human and animal nutrition. Data on the chemical composition of spelt and its variations, especially their nutritional value for ruminants, are scarce. Therefore, hulled kernels, dehulled kernels and hulls of six spelt cultivars grown on three different locations were analysed for their chemical composition and nutritive value for ruminants using the Hohenheim Gas Test. Most of the analysed constituents varied considerably and were significantly affected by the cultivars or location, or both. Hulled spelt and spelt kernels of more recent cultivars had higher starch and energy concentrations and lower concentrations of crude protein and fibre fractions than those of traditional cultivars. Significant differences between cultivars were found in the energy values for ruminants for hulled spelt but not for fractionated kernels. Spelt hulls of different cultivars and locations showed a high variation in chemical composition with overall high concentrations of fibre fractions and crude ash. The nutritive values for ruminants of hulled spelt and spelt kernels were similar to those of oats and wheat respectively. Pure spelt hulls cannot be recommended for use in ruminant feeding because of their high concentrations of fibre fractions and crude ash. However, when some part of the kernel (~20%) or small kernels remain with the hull in the dehulling process, the resulting hull fraction has a metabolizable energy value for ruminants that is similar to that of wheat straw.