Hydroponic green forage production for crossbred dairy buffaloes

R. B. Saludes

Date

2014

Abstract

The research project consisted of two study components. The first component is about growth optimization of hydroponic corn forage while the second component involved pilot testing of forage hydroponic system for crossbred dairy buffaloes. In study 1, bench-scale hydroponic system with recirculating nutrient solution was constructed to conduct optimization studies for the growth of hydroponic corn forage. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of colored shade nets on growth and nutrient content of hydroponic corn forage. Significant effects 9Plus than 0.05 of colored shade nets (black, blue, and red) were observed of Leaf Area Index (LAI) at two harvesting periods, 7 days after planting (DAP) and 14 DAP. The black and blue nets generated the highest LAI at 7 DAP and 14 DAP, respectively. However, the effect of the shade nets had no significance (P less than 0.05) on the nutrient content of corn plant. These results also suggests the potential use of 7-day old hydroponic corn plants as forage for livestock animals. Construction of a small-scale NFT hydroponic system with multi-layer growing trays and its preliminary testing for corn forage was done. Initial findings showed that corn forage can be successfully grown in the system but problems in consistent and unregulated flows as well as leaks in the drainage pipes were encountered. Further setting and optimization of multi-layer NFT hydroponic system for corn forage was done to correct this problem. Corn forage was then successfully grown using the modified system. The effect of irrigation interval on growth of NFT corn forage was also conducted. Several problems were observed during the preliminary experiment. Excessive moisture affected the oxygen supply of seeds resulting to poor seed germination as well as foul smell from rotting seeds were observed. Improvement in seed germination was observed when irrigation duration was modified. Initial results showed higher seed germination efficiency, and absence of seed rotting and foul smell. Three different planting densities were established, using wire mesh (0.5 in x 0.5 in), to determine its effect on the height and dry matter of the corn forage. The first density (0.6222 seeds/cm sup 2) was close to each other, the 2nd density (0.1778 seeds/cm sup 2) is 1 square mesh apart, and the 3rd density (0.0889 seeds cm sup 2) is two square meshes apart. The corns were planted in nutrient film technique hydroponics setup and also in soil with the same densities that will serve as a control setup. The corn forages were grown for seven days. Results showed that 5% level of significance there is no significant difference between the three densities in hydroponically and soil grown corn forage with regard to plant height and dry matter. But there is a significant difference to the plant height and dry matter content of those grown in hydroponics as compared to those grown in soil. Thus, in order to maximize the space of the growing areas, the 1st density should be chosen. In study 2, existing concrete structure located at the PCC-UPLB research farm was converted into a plastic roofed-greenhouse. Multi-layers of NFT growing trays with recirculating nutrient solution delivery system was fabricated and installed inside the greenhouse. The feeding trial of hydroponic corn forage was scheduled to commence upon the completion and testing of the multi-layer NFT growing trays. However, the experiment did not materialize due to the termination of the project. A graduate student pursuing MS Agrometeorology will continue the feeding trial in PCC and will be funded by the AMDP thesis support program.

Language

English

Document Type

Article

Pages /Collation

37 leaves

En – AGROVOC descriptors

MAIZE; HYDROPONICS; GREEN FEED; PROXIMATE COMPOSITION; NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS; GERMINATION; SEEDS

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