Evaluation of Proximate and Fibre Composition, Metabolizable Energy and Organic Matter Digestibility of Maize (Zea mays) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Hydroponic Fodder as Affected by Source of Water and Days to Harvest

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the fodder yield and nutritive values of maize and wheat under hydroponic conditions as affected by sources of water and days to harvest. Materials and Methods: A randomized complete block design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement was used to study the three sources of water [nutrient solution (NS), borehole water (BW) and fish hatchery wastewater (FHW)] and three days to harvest [8, 10 and 12] after sowing with five replicates. At harvest, fodder samples were oven-dried at 70°C for 48 hours, milled and subjected to chemical analyses. The Crude protein (CP) content recorded from both fodders varied (p<0.05) from 9.31-11.43%. Neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre from both fodders also ranged from 55-62 and 33-39%, respectively. Results: Organic matter digestibility (OMD) declined with delayed harvesting for both fodders. The OMD ranged from 65-81% for maize and from 53-71% for wheat fodder. The highest metabolizable energy was recorded at 10 and 8 days after sowing (DAS) using FHW and BW for maize and wheat, respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that hydroponic fodder production from maize and wheat is possible between 8-12 DAS but for fodder optimum yield and nutritive value, the fodder is best harvested at 8-10 DAS, using NS for maize, as well as BW and FHW for wheat.