Effects of Different Water Sources on Growth Performance and Nutritional Composition of Hydroponic Maize Varieties

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of two water sources on the growth performance and nutritional composition of two hydroponically grown maize varieties. The experiment followed a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of two sources of water (tap water and fishpond water), two varieties of maize seeds (OBA 2000 and local white maize), and two harvesting regimes (8th and 10th days after germination). The grains were cleaned, treated, and sprouted into hydroponic maize fodder using perforated aluminum trays (36 cm × 45 cm) with a 3.5 cm depth for 10 days. All maize grains were manually irrigated using a plastic sprayer every 3 h from 8:00am to 6:00pm each day. The results showed significant effects (P<0.05) of maize seed varieties, water sources, and harvesting regimes on nutritional values, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, fodder mat thickness, herbage yield and dry matter yield. OBA 2000 maize fodder exhibited higher (P<0.05) agronomic indices and nutrients than local white maize hydroponic fodder in both tap water and fish water irrigated fodders on days 8 and 10 harvests. Fishpond water-irrigated fodder had higher (P<0.05) agronomic indices and nutrients than tap water-irrigated fodder. Harvesting on day 10 resulted in better (P<0.05) agronomic indices and nutrients than that on day 8. Hence, the OBA 2000 maize seed variety irrigated with fishpond water and harvested on day 10 is recommended for hydroponic maize fodder production in this study.