Productive and nutritional attributes of hydroponic corn forage at different stages grown in elephant grass and wood sawdust substrates

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and nutritional attributes of hydroponic corn forage grown on elephant grass and wood sawdust substrates at different stages. Two treatments (T) with different substrates were established: T1 - chopped and dehydrated elephant grass and T2 - wood sawdust. Forage samples were collected 13 and 20 days after sowing to evaluate seedling development, biomass production, and nutritional composition. The elephant grass substrate promoted better seedling development and greater biomass production and concentration of mineral matter at 13 days, whereas wood sawdust promoted a greater concentration of dry matter, crude protein, lignin, and non-fibrous carbohydrates (P < 0.05). The elephant grass substrates resulted in greater seedling height, production of green biomass, and concentrations of mineral matter, crude protein, and ether extract at 20 days, while wood sawdust promoted greater root length and greater concentrations of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and lignin (P < 0.05). Elephant grass substrate and collection for 13 days promoted better production of hydroponic forage and its nutritional composition.