Chapter 8
Comparative Production and Nutritional Evaluation of Hydroponically Grown Wheat and Maize Fodder with Conventional Fodder
- By Vipin, N.N.Patil, Ram Pal, Pragya Bhoudaria - 27 Nov 2025
- Studies on Agriculture, Volume: 1, Pages: 78 - 81
Abstract/Preface
The present study was conducted to evaluate the production efficiency and nutritive value of hydroponically grown wheat and maize fodders in comparison with conventionally produced fodders. The study included two treatments; hydroponic wheat (T1) and hydroponic maize (T2) and their respective field-grown (FP) controls. Seven trials were carried out over a 15-day growth period from germination to harvest. Results revealed that hydroponic wheat and maize produced 4.72 kg and 5.60 kg fodder per kg seed, representing 43-47 % higher yields than field-grown fodders. Crude protein content increased to 16.54 % and 18.13 % for hydroponic wheat and maize, respectively, while mineral (Ca, P) content also improved significantly. The economic analysis showed higher benefit–cost ratios (1.57 and 1.60) for hydroponic systems. Hydroponic maize demonstrated had higher biomass yield, nutritive composition, and mineral content over hydroponic wheat, making it a more efficient and nutrient-rich fodder source under hydroponic conditions. The study concludes that hydroponic fodder production is a sustainable and economically viable method for producing nutrient-rich green fodder year-round.