THE CHANGING IN YIELD AND QUALITY OF BARLEY, WHEAT AND GRASS PEA IN HYDROPONIC FORAGE SYSTEM BASED ON THE HARVEST TIME

Abstract

In recent years, it has been observed that the use of hydroponic green forages has become widespread in animal nutrition. Production of hydoponic green forage is based on the germination of the grains with a certain period of time in hydroponic environment, instead of giving the animals directly. With the germination of the grain, green feed is obtained with high enzyme activity, vitamin content, protein and fiber but lower dry matter content. It is important that the grains used in the production of hydroponic green forage have effective and rapid germination ability. Thus, grains such as barley and corn are used for this purpose and their harvest is generally done on the 7th day. However, there is not enough information in the literature about the suitability of the harvest time and the use of legumes in the hydroponic system. In this study, the usage potentials and optimum harvesting periods of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) in hydroponic green forage production were investigated. For this purpose, all three plants were harvested on the 6th, 7th and 8th days in hydroponic environment and the dry matter, protein, ADF, NDF and mineral contents of these days were examined. And the results obtained were compared with grains. According to this, when compared to grain, it was seen that the dry matter content of all three plants decreased and protein, ADF and NDF content increased in hydroponic system. The mineral content, on the other hand, increased in barley and wheat, while decreased in grass pea. Harvest time was determined as an important factor for the studied characteristics and it was determined that the quality and dry matter amount of all three species decreased on the 8th day, therefore it was determined that they would be harvested on the 7th day in terms of highest gain.