ESTABLISHMENT AND PRODUCTION OF TREATED AND UNTREATED HYDROPONICS MAIZE FODDER USING LOW COST GREENHOUSE TYPE CULTIVATION UNIT

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess treated and untreated hydroponic maize fodder. Clean water was measured using total dissolve solid and pocket pH meter. Four kilogram of maize grain seeds were weighed using weighing scale, submerged in water for a period of 4-8 hours. After 8 hours, the water was drained and

collected to measure the total dissolved solid using TDS meter and pH. The wet seeds were transferred directly in to a clean dry fumigated jute bag for a period of 24 hours (incubation). The bag was kept away from direct sunlight to avoid sun drying of the seeds, a quantity of 2 to 3 liters of clean water was sprinkled after every 2 to 3 hours. From day 5 to 9 N.P.K. liquid fertilizer was applied to improve the protein content of the foliage. A whole plant was harvested on the 9th day after planting. Treated and untreated hydroponic maize fodder; samples of the green fodder were taken on day 9th; nutrients composition was determined. The quantity of hydroponic maize fodder and biomass production was recorded daily by weighing the seeds before planting and after harvest. Parameters measured includes; plant height (cm), leaves length (cm), stems height (cm), root length (cm) and biomass yield (kg/d/tray) on day 9th. One of the agro-technology which could be developed locally with low cost materials and is more nutritious, palatable and digestible fodder for livestock is hydroponics. The technology is less competitive than traditional fodder production on per kg dry matter basis. Hydroponic is an alternative technology against scarcity of land and impeding climate changes in different

agro-climatic regions in Nigeria.