Authors :
Sani Ahmad, J; Isah S.D; Abdu K; Saidu A.A
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3XLVSEW
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7553063
Abstract :
- Soilless plant cultivation is the current global
research focus due to decreasing land space and increasing
human population. This study evaluated a simple modified
hydroponic system for the production of Digitaria
horizontalis Willd, as forage feed supplement. Seeds of the
plant were sterilized with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed
with distilled water and broadcast on the sawdust in a
modified Ebb and Flow method. The seeds were irrigated
with 1.0 L of Cooper’s nutrient solution before germination
while the sprouts were watered manually twice daily for
fourteen (14) days with 500ml nutrient solution at 0.5 dS m1 and later raised to 1.0 dS m-1 at controlled pH. Similar
experiments were conducted using Hoagland and
Murashige and Skoog nutrient media. A control
experimental set up was irrigated with distilled water. The
plant did not show significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) when
grown under different nutrient formulations with regards
to germination days. However, plant height, number of
leaves and leaf area index showed significant difference
from Murashige and Skoog nutrient formulations. Number
of tillers and total chlorophyll content also significantly
differ under the three nutrient formulations. The three
nutrient formulations performed better than the control
experiment in all the parameters tested. The result of this
findings suggests that Digitaria horizontalis Willd could be
of great potential source of fodder to be exploited as a
fodder supplement to enhance large and small ruminant
performance using suitable nutrient formulation
(hydroponics).
Keywords :
Hydroponics, Digitaria Horizontalis, Fodder, Ruminants, Proximate Analysis.
- Soilless plant cultivation is the current global
research focus due to decreasing land space and increasing
human population. This study evaluated a simple modified
hydroponic system for the production of Digitaria
horizontalis Willd, as forage feed supplement. Seeds of the
plant were sterilized with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed
with distilled water and broadcast on the sawdust in a
modified Ebb and Flow method. The seeds were irrigated
with 1.0 L of Cooper’s nutrient solution before germination
while the sprouts were watered manually twice daily for
fourteen (14) days with 500ml nutrient solution at 0.5 dS m1 and later raised to 1.0 dS m-1 at controlled pH. Similar
experiments were conducted using Hoagland and
Murashige and Skoog nutrient media. A control
experimental set up was irrigated with distilled water. The
plant did not show significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) when
grown under different nutrient formulations with regards
to germination days. However, plant height, number of
leaves and leaf area index showed significant difference
from Murashige and Skoog nutrient formulations. Number
of tillers and total chlorophyll content also significantly
differ under the three nutrient formulations. The three
nutrient formulations performed better than the control
experiment in all the parameters tested. The result of this
findings suggests that Digitaria horizontalis Willd could be
of great potential source of fodder to be exploited as a
fodder supplement to enhance large and small ruminant
performance using suitable nutrient formulation
(hydroponics).
Keywords :
Hydroponics, Digitaria Horizontalis, Fodder, Ruminants, Proximate Analysis.
