YIELD AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF HYDROPONIC FODDERS AS INFLUENCED BY FREQUENCY OF WATERING

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effect of frequency of watering on the yield and nutritive value of some selected tropical cereals namely, Rice (Oryza sativa), Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Maize (Zea mays) in hydroponic trials. Grains of rice, wheat and maize were purchased from an open market in Ile-Ife and were setup in a locally fabricated hydroponic chamber using an experimental lay out of a completely randomized design (CRD). Grains were cleaned, washed, sterilized and set up with frequency of watering as the treatment effect. The fresh (hydroponic) fodders were harvested on the eighth day and data were
collected on the yield, height and the proximate content of the hydroponic fodder. Proximate contents were determined in the laboratory using the procedure of AOAC (2002). Data collected were analyzed using a one–way analysis of variance of the general linear model procedure of SAS (2003). Results obtained indicated that the yield and proximate composition of the hydroponic fodders were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the frequency of watering. The study concluded that watering thrice a day improves the yield and the nutritive value of the selected grains.