EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT ON GROWING HYDROPONICS MAIZE FODDER USING LOW-COST GREENHOUSE CULTIVATING UNIT FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION.

The term 'Hydroponics' was derived from Greek words 'hydro' means water and 'ponics' means labor. Hydroponic is a modern agricultural technique that uses nutrient solution rather than soil solution for fodder production. As population increases the food demand also increased, the existing system of agriculture will not be able to meet the food requirement in the near future due to environmental challenges in the industry. The major environmental factors affecting the hydroponics production system are; Temperature, relative humidity, and light. The objectives of this studies are to examine the hydroponics greenhouse technologies, impact of environmental factors on hydroponics greenhouse cultivation and challenges of growing on hydroponics greenhouse system. This study revealed that hydroponics greenhouse cultivation is a better option for improved fodder production, water utilization, palatability and digestibility.