Effect of Cereals Type and Watering Level on Morphometric Characteristics, Herbage Yield and Proximate Compositions of Hydroponic Fodder

Abstract

This research was conducted at Prof. Lawal Abdu Saulawa Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted to examine the effect of cereal type, levels of watering (volume of water), morphometric characteristics, herbage yield and nutritional quality of hydroponically sprouted fodder of three different cereals (Maize, Sorghum and Millet). A completely randomised design (CRD) was deployed with three replicates per treatment. Results obtained indicated that significant differences (P<0.05) were recorded in mat-depth and fodder yield among the cereals. However, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in plant height and average leaf number. Furthermore, significant differences (P<0.05) were noticed in leaf length and width. Results of the proximate compositions showed that significant differences (P<0.05) were recorded in crude protein and crude fibre content. It can, therefore, be concluded that sorghum with 900ml of water recorded the best mat-depth and fodder yield, followed by maize. It is, therefore, recommended that sorghum could be used for the production of hydroponic fodder with 900ml of water per day.