Abstract
This study determined the growth effect of the sprouting period on macro and micro mineral concentration of hydroponics fodder produced from white sorghum, red sorghum (sorghum bicolor) and millet (pennisetum glacum) seed. 2.5 kilograms each of the selected seeds were divided into five groups of 500 g each, and tagged T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, with T1 being the unsprouted seeds and serving as the control, while the T2 – Ts were sprouted. The seeds were transferred to plastic buckets with perforated lids, and soaked in water for 4 hours to activate them. Thereafter, the water was drained, and the seeds left in plastic buckets for 24 hours to further hasten their sprouting. The seeds were then transferred to properly labeled plastic trays measuring approximately 487.68cm and depth of 2.54cm, and having one end perforated to allow for water drainage. The set-up was therefore 15 trays made up of 5 trays per seed type in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The seeds were irrigated trice daily with bore-hole water for 8 days to produce the hydroponic fodders. The mineral concentrations of the fodders were determined at the day 0, 4, 6, and 8 of growth. Progressive increase in the macro and micro-mineral concentration, with sprouting days, was also observed with the 8th day values being significantly higher (p<0.05) than the others. Fe content was much higher in the 6th and 8th day millet fodder than the sorghum fodder, while the zinc and manganese content of the 8th day white sorghum fodder were also much higher than the others. Both the sorghum and millet seeds can be used for hydroponic fodder production in south eastern Nigeria.
Published Version
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