Comparison of the fodder yield, nutritive value and cost of triticale and vetch mixtures under hydroponic condition

This study was carried out determine the effects of different ratios of triticale and vetch seed and use of fertilizer on fodder yield, nutritive value and cost of fodder grown. The treatments included five ratios of triticale to vetch seeds at 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 0:100 (V0, V10, V20, V30, and V100; respectively and a fertilizer treatment (with (+) or without (-) fertilizer). The experiment was a completely randomized design in factorial arrangements (five seed treatments and two fertilizer treatments). Considering the yield performance, differences were found among treatments with the highest yield (21.78 kg fresh weight m-2) for V0+ and lowest (18.48 kg fresh weight m-2) for V100-. With increasing proportions of vetch, ash, crude protein and acid detergent fiber increased linearly, whereas neutral detergent fiber and nitrogen free extract decreased linearly. The crude fiber was lowest (8.43%) for V0+ and highest (10.26%) for V100+ fodders, respectively. Highest neutral detergent fiber was observed for V0- while V100- revealed the lowest neutral detergent fiber. The acid detergent fiber was lowest for V0+ compared with all other treatments. The nitrogen free extract content in V0+ fodder were gradually higher than that of other fodders. The fodder’s energy value was significantly different among the treatments. The results in the study showed that the seed cost was the highest in the V0+ fodder to produce one kg fresh fodder. The higher expense for one kg CP and one unit energy (MJ kg-1) was obtained in V0 fodder, as well.