Evaluation of different biomass production systems hydroponic corn

Abstract

It was assessed the effect of three nutritive solutions (Hoagland, La Molina y FAO) and three harvesting time (12, 15 and 18 days) on forage yield and nutritive value of green fodder hydroponic from maize (Zea mays, L.). The experiment was developed in “La Sevilla” farm placed in San Marcos town, municipality and province of Santa Elena, Ecuador. The maize seeds 2,5 kg/m2) were washed, disinfected, soaked during 24 hours and placed in germination plates (1 x 1 x 0,04 m) in dark condition during three days. It was applied to a fully randomized design with factorial arrangement without interaction 4 x 3 (3 nutritive solutions + 1 control (water) x 3 harvesting time) and 3 repetitions per treatments. The highest yields in terms of dry matter (137 and 114 kg DM/m2/year) and crude protein (21,3 y 15,5 kg CP/m2/year) were reached with the Hoagland and FAO solutions at 12 days of age, respectively. It was concluded that the best harvesting time independently of the nutritive solution was at 12 days and in all harvesting time the Hoagland and FAO solutions showed the best agronomic and chemical results.