Biomass yield and nutritive value of maize grain sprouts produced with hydroponic technique compared with maize grain and conventional green fodder

The study was conducted to record the biomass yield and change in nutrient composition of maize grain after sprouting using hydroponic technique and compare its nutritional value with the conventionally grown maize green fodder. Maize grain sprouts (MGS) were harvested on 10, 11, 12 and 13 d, and the height of the shoot and biomass yield were recorded. Conventionally cultivated maize fodder (CMF) was harvested on 60th d after sowing. Analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition, ME content, IVDMD, IVOMD, mineral profile, amino acid composition and vitamin profile. It was recorded that on 10th d, the maximum yield of MGS (average 4.5 kg per kg of maize grain) with DM content 16.5% was obtained. Beyond 10 d, there was a reduction in the biomass yield. There was increase in nutrient content (CP 13.0%, EE 4.40%, NDF 32.9%, ADF15.5%, total ash 2.89%) and decreased ME (9.78 MJ/kg DM) in MGS as compared to maize grain. Whereas, CMF contained lesser CP (7.81%), EE (1.93%), ME (9.18 MJ/kg DM) and higher NDF (52.8%), ADF (25.7%), total ash (5.49%) compared to MGS. As per the results, desired harvesting time for maximum biomass yield is on the 10th day, and MGS had better nutritive value than maize grain in terms of protein. However, it did not provide adequate fibre as compared to CMF. In vitro studies showed that the digestibility of DM and OM of MGS (67.6 and 68.0%) was lower than maize grain (90.1 and 90.6%) and higher than CMF (60.9 and 61.2%). The data on mineral profile showed higher content of many minerals in MGS compared to maize grain. In contrast, the content of the amino acids did not show variation among the three feed resources. But vitamin E, K and ascorbic acid content were more in MGS as compared to both maize grain and CMF. It is concluded that MGS has a different nutritive value than maize grain and conventional maize fodder altogether and is not a good source of fibre.