Effect of Water Sources on the Production and Nutrient Content of Maize Fodder under Hydroponic System

Abstract

In addition to providing high-quality fodder, fodder production technology is becoming a part of the growing number of centralized livestock farms. The purpose of this study was to examine how various water sources affect the hydroponic production of maize fodder. The investigation was carried out in a small portion of the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building's underground basement at Khulna University. Five treatments and three replications were used in the CRD experiment. In order to test yield, feed quality, and water use efficiency under hydroponic settings, irrigation was applied to maize fodder using tap water, pond water, borehole water, river water, and sewage water. On the eleventh day, the fodder was harvested. On the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th days, the sample was gathered for analysis. The height of the plants and the length of the roots and shoots of hydroponic maize fodder have been successfully improved by using sewage water for irrigation. The longer roots compared to the other treatment resulted in higher fodder production from tap water. Approximately 2.5 liter of water are needed to produce one kilogram of fresh hydroponics maize fodder (11-d). On the 11th day of harvest, plant height was significantly significant (p<0.001). On the 9th day of harvesting, the length of the plant roots and shoots was significantly significant (p<0.001). On the 11th day of harvesting, the total amount of water used (liter kg-1 fresh matter) was significantly significant (p<0.001). On the 11th day of harvesting, the fresh yield was a highly significant yield parameter (p<0.001). Plants that were irrigated with sewage water had substantially greater proximate concentrations of dry feed than the other treatments. According to the study's findings, high yields and little water use could be achieved by safely irrigating hydroponic green Maize fodder with tap, pond, borehole, river, and sewage water. Additionally, using sewage water to irrigate green forages in hydroponic systems is thought to be a practical substitute for traditional wastewater disposal methods.