NUTRITIVE VALUE OF MAIZE AND SORGHUM FODDER GROWN UNDER HYDROPONICS FODDER PRODUCTION IN DADIN-KOWA GOMBE

Abstract

Production of hydroponics fodder involves growing of plants without soil but in water or nutrient rich solution in a greenhouse (hi-tech or low cost devices) sometimes for a short duration (approx. 7 days). This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different harvesting time on the proximate of maize and sorghum fodder produced under hydroponic system. Maize and sorghum were harvested on the 7th and 14th days after sowing.All the nutrient composition of maize have significant difference (p<0.05) except moisture and carbohydrate.The crude protein (CP) of maize is significantly (p< 0.05) higher in week two having (9.31%) while the crude fibre (CF) is significantly higher in week one. Sorghum CP is highly significance (p<0.05) in week two with (13.59%). While CF is higher in week one having (17.26%) All the nutrient compositions of Sorghum are significantly difference except Moisture, EE and NFE.The hydroponically grown maize and sorghum at both 1st and 2nd week of planting appear to have the potential for feeding livestock. Moderate protein combine with relatively higher fiber wouldmake them to be high quality livestock feed for ruminant animals especially during the dry season.