Production technology and optimization of inputs for soil-less maize green fodder production

S Thambiyannan; M Senthivelu; K R V Sathya Sheela; S Lakshmi Narayanan; N Satheesh Kumar; R Radhajayalakshmi; K  Ramasamy

doi:10.14719/pst.6406

Authors

S Thambiyannan Maize Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vagarai 624 613, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8921-0183
M Senthivelu Department of Oilseeds, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5259-8444
K R V Sathya Sheela Maize Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vagarai 624 613, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8966-0675
S Lakshmi Narayanan Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, AC&RI, TNAU, Madurai 625 104, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5327-7664
N Satheesh Kumar Maize Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vagarai 624 613, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1077-5128
R Radhajayalakshmi Department of Fruit Sciences, HC&RI, TNAU, Periyakulam 625 604, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0262-3239
K Ramasamy Directorate of Crop Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6786-5899

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.6406

Keywords:

green fodder, maize, seed rate, seed priming, soil-less production, time of harvest

Abstract

The study on seed priming with nutrients in maize was conducted to produce soil-less maize green fodder. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with nine treatments replicated thrice. The treatments included Control (no priming), soaking seeds in water for 12 or 24 h, soaking seeds in urea (0.1% solution), Mono ammonium Phosphate (MAP) (0.1% solution) and in 19:19:19 (0.1% solution) for 12 or 24 h. To optimise the seed rate and harvesting time for soil-less fodder production, the experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications. The seed rate of 400, 500, 600, and 700 g per square foot (sq. ft.) was adopted with harvesting time treatments at 7, 8, 9, and 10 days after germination. Results showed that a seed rate of 400 g per sq. ft. produced the highest germination rate, taller plants, and higher fodder yield and dry matter production (DMP), comparable to the 500 g per sq. ft. treatment. For seed priming, seeds soaked in a nutrient solution of 0.1% 19:19:19 for 24 h had the highest fodder yield followed by 24 h of soaking in 0.1% MAP and 24 h in 0.1% urea. Harvesting at 9 days after sowing (DAS) resulted in a higher fodder yield, DMP, and crude protein. These findings underscore the significant role of research in advancing the field of soil-less green fodder production. Based on the conducted experimental studies, density rate of 400 g per sq. ft. (equivalent to 4.31 kg m-2 ) is optimal for achieving higher yields of maize green fodder in soil-less production and seed priming with 19:19:19 nutrient solution at a concentration of 0.1% for 24 h has increased the green fodder yield by 75 % over control. Harvesting green fodder at 9 DAS is recommended under a low-cost hydroponic system

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