Abstract
Abstract Hydroponic corn cultivation is an efficient, fast, and feasible alternative for periods of food scarcity; however, there is still little information on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the produced biomass, especially with regard to substrates. This study aimed to evaluate the productive and qualitative aspects of hydroponic feed corn grown on different substrates with a cultivation period of 15 days. Four substrates were evaluated: 1) fermented whole açaí seeds, 2) crushed açaí seeds, 3) sugarcane bagasse, and 4) ground Tifton hay, with five replications under a randomized block design. Substrate temperature was monitored during the production period. After harvesting on day 15, roots length (RL), shoot length (SL), biomass dry matter content (BDM), dry biomass yield, forage dry mass productivity, crude protein (CP), and ash content were assessed. There was no correlation of growth period and substrate temperature. RL was not affected by substrates, BDM was lower in treatment 3, CP was not influenced, and ash content was higher in treatment 1. In general, the best development was observed in treatment 1 because of the absence of distinction regarding qualitative parameters (CP and ash) and higher granulometry of whole açaí seeds which affects mass density and substrate aeration, thus allowing higher dry biomass yield.
Highlights
Livestock plays an important role in global food security; climate change has complicated the production of primary feed for livestock
Hydroponic forage production refers to growing plants using a nutrient solution in a natural substrate, or even without substrate, during the initial growth period of forage plants[2,3], and this approach may be used when forage cannot be grown conventionally due to adverse conditions[4]
Hydroponic forage is a denomination given to a method of growing plants using a nutritive solution under natural substrates, or even no substrate, to the initial growth of the forage plants[5]
Summary
Livestock plays an important role in global food security; climate change has complicated the production of primary feed for livestock. New production alternatives are essential for this sector to remain competitive, profitable, and sustainable[1]. Hydroponic forage production refers to growing plants using a nutrient solution in a natural substrate, or even without substrate, during the initial growth period of forage plants[2,3], and this approach may be used when forage cannot be grown conventionally due to adverse conditions[4]. Hydroponic forage is a denomination given to a method of growing plants using a nutritive solution under natural substrates, or even no substrate, to the initial growth of the forage plants[5]. Using corn forage, Ndaru et al[7] reported forage production of 12 kg m-2, with moderate fiber content of 10% neutral detergent fiber (NFD) and 15% crude protein (CP) after 20 days of cultivation
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