Effect of Irrigation Volume on Biomass and Nutritional Value of Zea mays L. as Green Hydroponic Forage

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of irrigation water volume on biomass production andto quantify the nutritional value of green hydroponic maize forage (GHMF) for sheep.Design/Methodology/Approach: Three treatments were used to evaluate waterirrigation volume: T1) 9.48 L m 2 day -1 ; T2) 18.95 L m 2 day -1 ; and T3) 28.43 L m 2 day -1 ,employing a completely randomized statistical block design. To determine nutritionalvalue, four inclusion levels of GHMF were used (0,20.40, 60% BS) in the diet of 16sheep. A completely randomized statistical design was used as well as a linearregression model.Results: A greater weight in fresh biomass of GHMF was observed with T3 (P<0.01).The values of apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF of GHMF oscillatebetween 80 and 89%. The estimated digestible energy was 3.9 megacalories/kg DM.Study Limitations/Implications: Forage production in the dry tropics is characterizedby being markedly seasonal; however, GHMF represents a viable alternative for therapid and sustainable production of forage with high nutritional value for animals.Findings/Conclusions: The greatest yields in fresh biomass of green hydroponicmaize forage are obtained by using a greater volume of irrigation water. Likewise, the forage has high nutritional value for sheep, with considerable delivery of digestibleenergy, thus it can be used as an excellent source of forage in animal feeding.