ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different harvesting time on the proximate and anti-nutritional content value of maize and sorghum fodder produced in hydroponic system. Maize and sorghum were harvested on the 8th and 12th days following sowing date.
There are significant (p<0.05) difference across the treatment for days and chemical composition of hydroponically grown fodder of maize and sorghum. Higher (p<0.05) hydroponically grown maize fodder at 12 days of planting (HMF12D) on DM (23.17%), CP (18.35%), CF (18.81%), ADF (27.43%), ADL (5.93%), hemicellulose (16.76%) and cellulose (21.50%).
However, similar trend results were recorded for hydroponically grown sorghum fodder at 12 days planting. Higher (p<0.05) DM (25.17%), CP (16.64%), CF (24.21%), EE (3.80%), Ash (3.20%), NDF (54.61%), ADL (8.06%), hemicellulose (19.48%) and cellulose (27.07%).
The hydroponically grown maize and sorghum fodder at eight and twelve days of planting had low concentration of anti-nutrient factors. Phytate (0.021%), oxalate (0.022%) and tannin (0.004%) content respectively.
The overall results suggested that hydroponically grown maize and sorghum fodder at eight and twelve days of planting were of high nutritionally quality due to protein and low presence of anti-nutritional factor.
Keywords: hydroponics, proximate composition, anti-nutritional content, maize, sorghum.