Author(s):

Rachel Jemimah E, P Tensingh Gnanaraj and S Meenakshi Sundaram

Abstract: The objective of the study was to assess the productivity, water use efficiency and nutritional composition of yellow maize fodder under hydroponic conditions. The low cost hydroponic device fabricated at TANUVAS has been utilised for the study. 6 replicates with a seed rate of 5.26 kg/m² have been utilized for the study. Parameters such as total fresh and dry fodder yield, seed to fodder ratio, root and shoot biomass yield, total water use, water use efficiency and nutritional composition were studied. The fresh and dry fodder yield of yellow maize fodder under hydroponic condition was found to be 240.61±1.08 ton/ha and 39.89±0.44 ton/ha. Seed to fodder yield was 4.57±0.15 and root and shoot biomass yield were 66.67±0.52% and 33.33±0.52%. The total water use was 6.99±0.25 litres/tray and 1.53±0.14 litre /kg fresh matter for the 8 day growth period. The water use efficiency was 656.55±2.99 kg fresh matter/m³ and 108.86±1.22 kg dry matter/m³. It is concluded that about 1.5 litres of water are required for the production of 1 kg fresh yellow maize fodder under hydroponic conditions.

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