EFFECT OF WATERING VOLUME AND PLANTING DENSITY ON FODDER YIELD OF SELECTED TROPICAL CEREALS IN HYDROPONIC PRODUCTION

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of watering volume and planting density on the fodder yield of selected tropical cereals in hydroponic fodder production. Guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor), Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) were used for the study. The experiment was laid out in a 3x3x3 factorial design with grain type, planting densities and watering volume as the three factors. The cereals were employed in hydroponic fodder production and data obtained were subjected to factorial analysis of variance and significantly (P<0.05) different means were separated using Duncan multiple range test of SAS (2003). Results indicated Guinea corn had the highest (P<0.05) mat depth and fodder yield with 3.65cm and 145.02%respectively, while wheat recorded the least values.Planting density also improved (P<0.05) mat depth and fodder yield, while Watering volume only impacted (P<0.05) on the cereals mat depth and fodder yield up till 500ml.The study concluded that cereal type, planting density and watering volume influenced mat depth and fodder yield in hydroponic forages.