CHALLENGES AND USE OF HYDROPONICS FODDER AS LIVESTOCK FEED--A REVIEW

Abstract

Hydroponics fodder is a method of growing cereal grains to produce fresh green grass leaves within 6 to 8 days. The leaves are very nutritious and with high crude protein and is very economical feed for all grazing animals including horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbit and zebra. The major challenges of hydroponics fodder production are loses in total dry matter because a lot of studies reported that sprouting resulted in 7 to 47 % loss in dry matter from the original seed. Also high temperature in green house slows down the growth of hydroponics fodder similarly high humidity lead production and the light used to create energy for Biochemical activity in the plant. to the infestation of mold. In managing the production of hydroponics fodder it is recommended to disinfect the planting materials using chlorine solution and also maintain correct moisture, pH and temperature in green house. Lighting is the one the most important aspect of hydroponics fodder