Production technology and optimization of inputs for soil-less maize green fodder production

The study on seed priming with nutrients in maize was conducted to produce soil-less maize green fodder. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with nine treatments replicated thrice. The treatments included Control (no priming), soaking seeds in water for 12 or 24 h, soaking seeds in urea (0.1% solution), Mono ammonium Phosphate (MAP) (0.1% solution) and in 19:19:19 (0.1% solution) for 12 or 24 h. To optimise the seed rate and harvesting time for soil-less fodder production, the experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications. The seed rate of 400, 500, 600, and 700 g per square foot (sq. ft.) was adopted with harvesting time treatments at 7, 8, 9, and 10 days after germination. Results showed that a seed rate of 400 g per sq. ft. produced the highest germination rate, taller plants, and higher fodder yield and dry matter production (DMP), comparable to the 500 g per sq. ft. treatment. For seed priming, seeds soaked in a nutrient solution of 0.1% 19:19:19 for 24 h had the highest fodder yield followed by 24 h of soaking in 0.1% MAP and 24 h in 0.1% urea. Harvesting at 9 days after sowing (DAS) resulted in a higher fodder yield, DMP, and crude protein. These findings underscore the significant role of research in advancing the field of soil-less green fodder production. Based on the conducted experimental studies, density rate of 400 g per sq. ft. (equivalent to 4.31 kg m-2 ) is optimal for achieving higher yields of maize green fodder in soil-less production and seed priming with 19:19:19 nutrient solution at a concentration of 0.1% for 24 h has increased the green fodder yield by 75 % over control. Harvesting green fodder at 9 DAS is recommended under a low-cost hydroponic system