Can plant derived smoke solutions support the plant growth and forage quality in the hydroponic system?

Abstract

In this study, the effect of plant based smoke solutions on yield and forage quality of hydroponic barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated. Two smoke solutions were prepared by burning the harvest residues of oats (Avena sativa L.) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.). Wheat and barley grains were primed with five concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10,15%) of the smoke solutions then used in hydroponic systems. Four different trials based on both species (barley and wheat) and smoke solution (oat and grass pea) were separately carried out. The sprout grown in the hydroponic system were harvested at the end of the seventh day and investigated for many forage quality traits such as dry weight, crude protein, Acid Detergent Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber and minerals. Consequently, barley and wheat grains were primed with smoke solutions before they were taken to the hydroponic environment and results showed that the yield and quality traits of hydroponic forage can be improved in this way. However, solution source and concentration have critical importance for the expected effect. The dry weigh was found between 79.65 and 85.56 g in barley and 79.33–82.00 g in wheat sprouts. Compared to control, the maximum increase in crude protein of hydroponic barley (41.61%) was obtained from grass pea solution by 1%, while in hydroponic wheat (31.69%) was from oat solution by 1%. According to averaged result, oat solution was generally more effective on the investigated traits in both crops. The present study showed that the smoke solutions altered and promoted the performance of hydroponic wheat and barley forage.