NUTRITIVE QUALITY OF HYDROPONICALLY PRODUCED FODDER IRRIGATED WITH ORGANIC NUTRIENT SOLUTION AND THEIR SELECTION PREFERENCE BY WEST AFRICAN DWARF RAMS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Forage production for ruminants is constrained by factors such as limited land availability,and environmental challenges, particularly during dry seasons. Hydroponics fodder production presents an innovative and sustainable solution, ensuring a consistent supply of nutrient-rich feed and supporting optimal animal performance throughout the year. This study evaluated the nutritive quality of hydroponically produced fodder irrigated with water, cattle manure nutrient solutions (CMNS), and poultry manure nutrient solution (PMNS) and the selection preference by West African dwarf rams were also determined. Poultry and Cattle faeces were collected and air-dried. One kilogram of each air-dried manures was mixed continuously in 10 litres of water todissolve the particles and stored in different tanks. Premier Oba Super 2 Hybrid maize, Local maize, Red sorghum, and White sorghum seeds were purchased and soaked in clean water to allow imbibition. The seeds were planted at a rate of 100g/tray, evenly spread in labeled trays, and irrigated with different nutrient solutions in the screen house. The seeds sprouted, and the fodder were harvested 10 days after sowing. Growth parameters, dry matter yield, chemical composition, and in vitro gas production were determined. An acceptability study was also carried out using Six (6) West African dwarf rams (WAD) with an average weight of 9.5 kg to determine the consumption value and coefficient of preference of the fodders. Data collected were subjected to General Linear Model analysis laid out in a factorial design. The results show that Hybrid maize fodder irrigated with PMNShad the highest (p<0.05) dry matter yield. Hybrid maize irrigated with CMNS (2.60cm) and PMNS (2.58cm) solutions showed significantly(p < 0.05) higher number of leaves. Fodder irrigated with CMNS had the highest (95.75 %) dry matter content, while water-irrigated fodder had the lowest (90.20 %). Fodder irrigated with PMNS had the highest (p<0.05) crude protein content(14.91%), whereas fodder irrigated with CMNS had lower ether extract levels (6.05%). Ash content was higher in fodder irrigated with CMNS (5.73 %) and PMNS (6.23 %). Acid detergent lignin (ADL) was higher (6.48 %) in water-irrigated fodder, whereas hemicellulose content was highest (p<0.05) in fodder irrigated with CMNS (24.44 %). CMNS and water-irrigated fodder had similarly high dry matter digestibility (DMD) values (76.17% and 76.33%, respectively), while fodder irrigated with PMNSrecorded lower (73.50 %) DMD value. Hybrid maize fodder had the highest (181.67g/day)consumption and highest (2.59) coefficient of preference, whereas red sorghum fodder (26.67 g/day) and white sorghum fodder(33.33 g/day) had the lowest coefficients. Fodder irrigated with CMNS (81.50g/day), and PMNS (87.50g/day) had higher consumption when fed to WAD rams compared to those irrigated with water (65.25 g/day). Hybrid maize fodder was consumed for a longer time (5.23), indicating it was the most preferred fodder by the animals. Therefore, it can be concluded from this study that hybrid maize fodder irrigated with PMNShas higher growth, improved nutritional quality,digestibility, better consumption, and coefficient of preference, making it the most preferred fodder by WAD rams.