Abstract:
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional quality, biomass yield and
economic benefit of forage grain sprout production by using different irrigation
frequencies under hydroponic production technique. This experiment was done at Merawi
(Agricultural Technical, Vocational and Educational Training College) ATVET in
February 2022 for 8 consecutive days since at this day sprout are more enzymatic and
nutritious. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the factorial arrangement
was used for the experiment. The two factors are irrigation frequency and forage grain
varities. Fodder crop species used in the experiment were wheat (Denda), oat (CI-8251)
and Barley (Agegnehu 2013/14) and since different grains have different response for
irrigation frequency different irrigation frequency were used 12, 6 and 4 hours interval.
The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the General Linear Model
(Proc GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System. The partial budget analysis of the
yield under each treatment was obtained by calculating total costs and net benefits. The
interaction effect had very highly significant (P<0.001) impact on fresh fodder yield. The
highest fresh fodder yields were recorded on Barley sprout (204.6t/ha) at IF12and lowest
value was recorded on wheat sprouts (174.47t/ha) at irrigation interval 12(IF12). The
effect of interaction was not significant (p>0.05) on the content of CP, NDF, ADL, DM and
IVDMD However ADF, ash and OM was significantly (P<0.05) affected by interaction.
The highest average crude protein (CP) content was observed on oat (20.46 % ) followed
by barley (20.42%). Dry matter (DM), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid
detergent fiber (ADF) were higher on sprouted barley than the other tested grain sprouts.
Lowest fiber content NDF (45.3%) and ADF (12%) and highest IVDMD (75.72%) were
found on the sprouted oat than the other tested grain sprouts. CP, NDF, ADF and IVDMD
were very highly significantly (P< 0.001). affected by irrigation frequency The lowest fiber
content (NDF 45.32 and ADF 13.46%), highest CP 20.95% and IVDMD 74.50% values
were recorded at irrigation frequency four .Partial budget analysis showed that the
highest and lowest net return was found on barley grain at irrigation frequency 12 and oat
at irrigation frequency 4, respectively compared to other treatments. In conclusion oat
sprouts at irrigation frequency four had highest nutritional quality however the treatment
required the largest production cost leads to lowest net return and least cost benefit ratio.
Therefore barley sprouts at irrigation frequency 12 is the best choice for high biomass
production and highest net return of hydroponic green fodder.