Hydroponics maize fodder: biochemical digestibility and feed values analysis in different types of maize cultivars

Abstract

India is getting fodder deficit day by day, putting the livestock productivity at risk. The need of the hour is to explore the research interventions for green fodder production that ensure all-around availability of quality green fodder and that too in a cost effective manner.  Nowadays, the low-cost hydroponics technique, adaptable at small and large scale is becoming very popular for green fodder maize production. Maize grain is a good fit for hydroponics technology due to its fast growth, high biomass accumulation in a short period, and nutritional value. Hence, this study explored the hydroponics technology for comparison of biomass gain and nutritional value of fodder maize variety J-1006 with that of F₂ of quality protein maize (QPM) hybrid, and a mixture of maize grains (hybrids and inbreds). These three treatments were grown in hydroponics trays (1.80 kg seeds per tray) in two replications for eight days. At the end of 8^th day, highest green fodder weight was recorded in the mixed grain (6.00 kg), followed by J-1006 (5.23 kg) and then F₂ grain of QPM hybrid (5.00 kg). Biochemical analysis of the same revealed highest dry matter and crude protein in J-1006, followed by QPM, and then mixed seeds. J-1006 and QPM recorded high neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and ash content, whereas high organic matter and dry matter digestibility were recorded in mixed seeds. Conclusively, J-1006 and mixed seeds are better for hydroponics fodder due to its high biomass and quality.