Biomass yield and water productivity of different hydroponic fodder crops

Abstract

Biomass yield and water productivity of different hydroponic crops In these experiment, we aim to find out the biomass yield, physical water productivity and economic water productivity of the six crops taken viz. pearl millet (Pennisetum perpareum), yellow maize (Zea mays), Oat (Avena sativa), Barley ( Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and white maize (Zea mays) which were grown hydroponically to produce fodder. The research was conducted in the April-May, 2016 in PGI farm of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. For the study a rack of 2.7 m x 1.5 m area was used made of UV-PVC polypipe with a capacity of holding 54 trays of size 50 cm x 30 cm x 5 cm. factorial complete randomized design were the experimental design used. Foliar spray was done on 5th day to all the crops taking two different water soluble fertilizers urea @ 0.5 % and 19-19-19 @ 0.5 % and one was kept as control (no foliar spray) in each crop. So, all together the treatment combinations were eighteen. Water to the system was supplied by micro sprinkler/ jet irrigation applied at every regular intervals of 3 hours in all crops except pearl millet which needed only once in 4 hours. Superior result of biomass yield was recorded in yellow maize, white maize and wheat with foliar application of 19-19-19 WSF. The green biomass was maximum up to 8days later on reduction in green biomass at 9th and 10th day. The biomass was increased 3-6 folds according to crop in a growing period of 10 days. However, in both physical and economic water productivity, pearl millet 19-19-19 @ 0.5 % foliar spray was highest followed by urea @ 0.5 % treated pearlmillet. Results showed the potential water productivity of pearl millet.