Hydroponics: An alternative to cultivated green fodder: A review

Abstract

The expansion in the livestock population along with the intensive rearing system has resulted in the increase requirement for feeds and fodder in the country. Hydroponics is a technology of sprouting grains or growing plants without soil, but only with water or nutrient rich solution in greenhouses under controlled environment within a short period. The advantages of hydroponics observed by the farmers, there were increase in fat and Solid Non Fat content of the milk, improvement in health and conception rate of the dairy animals, reduction in cattle feed requirement by 25%, increase in taste (sweetness) of the milk, reduction in labour cost, requirement of less space and water, freshness and high palatability.