Nutrient Changes with the Growth of Hydroponics Fodder Maize

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient changes during growth of hydroponics fodder maize. The crude protein had increasing trend and remained highest on 7th day of growth (13.57%), which was higher (P<0.05) than the conventional green fodder maize (10.67%). The ether extract content of hydroponics fodder maize on 7th day (3.49%) was highest (P<0.05). The crude fiber content of the maize seed was 2.50% and increased (P<0.05) up to 14.07% on 7th day of growth in hydroponics system but was lower (P<0.05) than the fodder maize grown under conventional practices (25.92%). The nitrogen free extract content of the maize seed decreased to its maximum level (66.72%) at 7th day of growth in hydroponics system and was higher (P<0.05) to maize fodder grown under conventional practices (51.78%). The total ash (TA) and acid insoluble ash (AIA) contents of the hydroponics fodder maize were lower (P<0.05) than the TA (9.36%) and AIA (1.40%) contents of the conventional fodder maize. It can be concluded that hydroponics fodder maize was more nutritious than the conventional fodder maize in terms of available organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and nitrogen free extract content.