Determination of Comparative Biomass Yield, Nutritional Quality and Production Cost of Five Different Hydroponic Fodder Species

Hydroponics technology is the practice where plants are cultivated without using the soil. It has emerged as a promising method for green fodder production. This technology can be utilized to avoid shortage of animal feed caused by limited arable land. The study aims to compare biomass production, analyze nutritional content, and assess the production costs of five hydroponically grown fodder species- maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oat (Avena sativa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata). The experiment was conducted at Khulna University. The research was conducted using completely randomized design (CRD) and experimental setup involved collection of seed, preparation of seeds, preparation of growing area. Seeds were selected for quality, soaked, and sprouted before being distributed on trays. Cultivated hydroponic fodders were harvested on 11^th day. Key parameters such as production of biomass, the height of the plant, the length of the primary roots, and chlorophyll content were recorded. A cost analysis for production of fodders using hydroponic technology was also performed. Nutritional composition of hydroponic fodders was also analyzed.

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