Evaluation of hydroponics fodder as a partial feed substitute in the ration of crossbred calves

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of maize green fodder produced by hydroponics system on the performance of eighteen weaned crossbred calves and Calves were divided into three groups T1, T2 and T3 of six each as uniformly. The calf starter in dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 contained 24, 20 and 17 per cent of Crude Protein (CP), respectively and 70 per cent Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN). The T2 and T3 treatments were made iso-nitrogenous with T1 by supplementing hydroponics maize fodder. The results obtained in the present study showed significant difference among different treatment groups regarding Dry matter intake (DM), total body weight gain, Average daily gain (ADG) and Feed conversion ratio (FCR) with a higher (P less than 0.05) values observed for calves belonging to T3 than groups T1 and T2. Data on digestibility of nutrients does not reveal any difference (P>0.05) among treatment groups. Cost per kg gain was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in T3 (Rs.102.14) than groups T2 (Rs. 111.64) and T1 (Rs. 119.82). On conclusion, feeding of hydroponics maize fodder as a partial feed substitute of calf starter on protein basis at seven per cent level improves the DM intake, total body weight gain, ADG and lowers the cost per kg body weight gain.

Full text

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE
www.arccjournals.com/www.ijaronline.in
B-3421
[1-5]
*Corresponding author’s e-mail: rajvet15@gmail.com
1College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
2Base Farm Kolahalamedu
3Dept of Dairy Husbandry, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Chettachal
4Dept. of Animal Nutrition. College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Indian J. Anim. Res.,
Print ISSN:0367-6722 / Online ISSN:0976-0555
Evaluation of hydroponics fodder as a partial feed substitute in the ration of
crossbred calves
G. Rajkumar*, M.T. Dipu1, K. Lalu2, K. Shyama3 and P.S. Banakar4
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680 651, Kerala, India
Received: 12-04-2017 Accepted: 20-05-2017 DOI: 10.18805/ijar.B-3421
ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of maize green fodder produced by hydroponics system on the
performance of eighteen weaned crossbred calves and Calves were divided into three groups T1, T2 and T3 of six each as
uniformly. The calf starter in dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 contained 24, 20 and 17 per cent of Crude Protein (CP),
respectively and 70 per cent Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN). The T2 and T3 treatments were made iso-nitrogenous with T1
by supplementing hydroponics maize fodder. The results obtained in the present study showed significant difference among
different treatment groups regarding Dry matter intake (DM), total body weight gain, Average daily gain (ADG) and Feed
conversion ratio (FCR) with a higher (P<0.05) values observed for calves belonging to T3 than groups T1 and T2. Data on
digestibility of nutrients does not reveal any difference (P>0.05) among treatment groups. Cost per kg gain was significantly
(P<0.05) lower in T3 (Rs.102.14) than groups T2 (Rs. 111.64) and T1 (Rs. 119.82). On conclusion, feeding of hydroponics
maize fodder as a partial feed substitute of calf starter on protein basis at seven per cent level improves the DM intake, total
body weight gain, ADG and lowers the cost per kg body weight gain.
Key words: Crossbred calves, Feed substitute, Growth performance, Hydroponic fodder.
INTRODUCTION
The future of a dairy farm depends on successful
rearing of calves for herd replacement. Good nutrition and
scientific management plans will make the calves’ better dairy
cows and in nutrition plan, providing optimal quantity and
quality of feeds and fodders is prime importance. However,
one of the major constraints for dairy farming in India has
been the quantitative and qualitative deficiency of feeds and
fodders. The conventional feed and fodder resources are not
enough to bridge this gap. As an alternative to conventional
method, grains can be grown with hydroponics technology
within a week. Hydroponics fodder production technology
is an emerging one among dairy farmers. Hydroponics is a
Greek word, which means “water working” (“Hydro” means
“water” and “Ponic” means “working”). A French chemist
known as Jean Boussingault verified growth of plants without
soil by the year 1860. The concept of hydroponic fodder
production include putting one kilogram of grain into a
hydroponic system and producing four to eight kilograms of
fresh green sprouts, independent of weather and seasons.
Within eight to nine days, hydroponic fodder can reach 25-
28 cm height and roots will be formed like a mat. During
sprouting process there will be breakdown of complex
compounds into a more simple form due to the metabolic
activity of seeds. While sprouting, chemical constitutes
(protein, starch and lipid) of the grains are breakdown by
hydrolytic enzymes. Due to this enzymatic action, total
protein, fat, certain essential amino acids, total sugar, B-
complex vitamins of the sprouts increase (Dung et al.,
2010a).
Calves need more nutritious food for their growth,
especially protein. Calf starter is a nutritious and easily
digestible feed given to calves below six month of age.
Generally, protein ingredients in the calf starter viz., soya
bean meal and other oil cakes increases the production cost
of calf starter. Feeding of hydroponic fodder may reduce
the feed cost to some extent by reducing the level of protein
in calf starter. Thus, the feasibility of using hydroponic fodder
as a partial feed substitute in the ration of calves needs to be
explored. Hence, this research work is planned to determine
the effect of feeding hydroponic fodder as a partial feed
substitute in the ration of crossbred calves on growth
performance and nutrient utilization and cost of feed per
kilogram body weight gain.

2 INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
T1Calf starter containing 24 per cent CP (BIS, 1983) (Control)
T2Calf starter containing 20 per cent CP + 4 per cent of CP
supplemented by Hydroponics maize fodder
T3 Calf starter containing 17 per cent CP + 7 per cent of CP
supplemented by Hydroponics maize fodder
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental animal and period: Eighteen healthy weaned
crossbred calves of three to four months of age, selected
from University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy formed the
experimental subjects for the study. The calves were divided
into three groups of six each as uniformly as possible with
regard to age, sex and body weight and each group was
allotted randomly to one of the three dietary treatments, T1,
T2 and T3. All the calves were dewormed at first day of the
feeding trial. All the experimental calves were maintained
under identical conditions of feeding and management
throughout the experimental period. All the experimental
calves were fed with calf starter containing 70 per cent TDN
and varying levels of CP (Table 1). Table 2 is containing the
chemical composition of three experimental rations,
hydroponics maize fodder and green grass. Hydroponics
maize fodder was offered to treatment groups T2and T3to
make those treatments iso-nitrogenous with T1.The three
experimental rations were as follows.
Good quality green grass was offered to all the
treatment groups at ad libitum. Calves were fed as per ICAR
standards (ICAR, 2013).
Experimental methods: A feeding trial was conducted for
a period of ninety days using eighteen healthy weaned
crossbred calves of three to four months of age. Weighed
quantity of calf starter and ad libitum good quality green
grass were offered to all the experimental animals during
the forenoon and afternoon periods. A known quantity of
hydroponics maize fodder was offered at forenoon to
treatment groups T2 and T3 to make those isonitrogenous with
T1 throughout the experimental period. Individual data on
quantities of calf starter, hydroponics maize fodder and green
grass offered daily were recorded. Body weights of all the
calves were recorded at fortnight intervals. The daily
Table 1: Ingredient composition of calf starters offered to calves
maintained on three dietary treatments
Ingredient Percentage composition of calf starter
T1T2T3
Maize 25.00 34.00 41.00
Wheat bran 31.00 34.00 36.00
Soya bean meal 40.00 28.00 19.00
Dicalcium phosphate 01.00 01.00 01.00
Calcite 02.00 02.00 02.00
Salt 01.00 01.00 01.00
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00
Vitamin A, D3, E* (g) 20.00 20.00 20.00
Table 2: Chemical composition of three experimental rations, hydroponics maize fodder and green grass fed to experimental calves1
in per cent (DM basis)
Parameter Dietary treatments Hydroponics maize Green grass
T1T2T3fodder
Dry matter 90.21±0.23 90.23±0.18 89.90±0.07 17.26±0.55 17.57±0.25
Crude protein 23.87±0.04 20.15±0.02 17.09±0.06 13.01±0.04 10.14±0.13
Ether extract 3.95±0.01 4.21±0.04 4.55±0.01 3.47±0.01 3.09±0.22
Crude fibre 4.07±0.01 4.89±0.03 5.22±0.04 8.72±0.11 26.17±0.14
Total ash 5.22±0.03 5.64±0.01 5.92±0.02 2.95±0.02 11.12±0.21
Nitrogen free extract 62.99±0.07 65.09±0.95 67.21±0.067 71.89a±0.11 49.48±0.16
Acid insoluble ash 2.91±0.03 3.07±0.019 3.32±0.01 0.53±0.00 4.03 ± 0.09
Calcium 1.90±0.03 2.01±0.04 1.95±0.01 0.74±0.17 0.52±0.14
Phosphorus 1.09±0.01 1.03±0.03 1.04±0.17 0.58±0.21 0.34±0.21
1 Average of six values with SE
allowance of concentrate, hydroponics maize fodder and
green grass were periodically revised taking into
consideration the increased nutrient requirement
commensurate with the growth increment. A digestion trial
involving five days of collection was carried out at the end
of study period. From the data obtained on the intake and
outgo of different nutrients during the digestion trial,
digestibility coefficient of nutrients was calculated.
Analysis of feed and dung: Proximate analysis of calf
starters, hydroponics maize fodder, green grass and dung
were done as per the standard procedures (AOAC, 2012).
The faecal sample collected from each animal for the five
consecutive days was pooled, mixed thoroughly and
representative samples were taken for proximate analysis to
calculate the digestibility.
Statistical analysis: Data obtained on different parameters
during the course of the experiment were subjected to
statistical analysis using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) (Snedecor and Cochran,
1994).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Growth performance of calves: The mean fortnightly body
weight of the experimental calves maintained on three dietary
treatments T1, T2 and T3 are presented in (Table 3). The
average initial body weight of calves were 49.73± 3.68,
50.01±2.80 and 48.66±1.42 kg for the treatments T1, T2 and
T3 respectively. The average body weight at the end of the

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Table 3: Fortnightly average body weight of calves maintained on three dietary treatments1, kg
Fortnights Dietary treatments P value
T1T2T3
0 49.73±3.68 50.01±2.80 48.66±1.42 0.94
1 55.46a±0.57 54.60a±0.58 58.25b±0.56 0.001**
2 58.57a±0.68 57.73a±0.67 61.02b±0.66 0.012*
3 64.03a±0.98 61.68a±0.97 67.07b±0.97 0.006**
4 68.67a±1.03 67.46a±1.04 74.34b±1.02 0.001**
5 74.24a±1.18 75.18a±1.19 81.52b±1.17 0.001**
6 79.86a±1.35 82.83a±1.36 90.05b±1.35 0.000**
1Average of six values with SE. ** a, b- Means bearing different superscripts within same rows differ significantly (P<0.01). * Significant
at 0.05 level (P<0.05)
Table 4: Summarized data on body weight, total weight gain and average daily gain of calves maintained on three dietary treatments1, kg
Parameters Dietary treatments P value
T1T2T3
Initial body weight 49.73±3.68 50.01±2.80 48.66±1.42 0.94
Final body weight 79.86a±1.35 82.83a±1.36 90.05b±1.35 0.000**
Total weight gain 30.39a±1.35 33.36a±1.34 40.58b±1.35 0.000**
Average daily gain 0.34a±0.01 0.37a±0.02 0.45b±0.01 0.000**
1Average of six values with SE. ** a, b- Means with different superscripts within the same row differ significantly (P<0.01)
Table 5: Consolidated data on fortnightly average daily dry matter intake of calves maintained on three dietary treatments1, kg
Fortnights Dietary treatments P value
T1T2T3
1 1.48a±0.03 1.63b±0.04 1.71b±0.03 0.003**
2 1.60a±0.02 1.77b±0.03 1.84b±0.02 0.000**
3 1.78a±0.04 1.88a±0.05 2.06b±0.04 0.001**
4 1.96a±0.04 2.00a±0.05 2.25b±0.05 0.000**
5 2.03a±0.05 2.21b±0.04 2.49c±0.05 0.000**
6 2.28a±0.06 2.45a±0.07 2.78b±0.06 0.000**
1Average of six values with SE. *a, b, c- Means with different superscripts within the same row differ significantly (P<0.01)
experimental period was 79.86±1.35, 82.83±1.36 and
90.05±1.35 kg for groups T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Total
body weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) of the
experimental calves are presented in the (Table 4). Statistical
analysis of the data on fortnightly average body weight, total
body weight gain and ADG revealed significantly (P<0.01)
better growth performance of calves in group T3 than groups
T1 and T2. However, both groups T1 and T2 had similar
(P>0.05) fortnightly average body weight, total body weight
gain and ADG. Similarly, Verma et al. (2015) also observed
significantly higher body weight gain in calves fed
hydroponics barley fodder than those fed control diet.
Gebremedhin (2015a) also noted significantly higher body
weight gain of Awassi ewes fed with hydroponics barley
fodder than those fed basal diet.
Dry matter intake: The mean fortnightly average of daily
DM intake is presented in (Tables 5). From the Table 5, it is
clear that the DM intake of calves maintained on group T3
was significantly higher (P<0.05) in all the fortnights
compared to group T1. Moreover, significant difference
(P<0.05) was also observed in DM intake of calves
maintained under group T2 compared to group T1 except at
fourth and sixth fortnights. At fourth and six fortnights, the
DM intake of calves maintained on group T2 was statistically
similar (P>0.05) to other two treatment groups.
The total DM intake was 167.07±2.74, 179.17±2.75
and 197.17±2.75 kg in groups T1, T2 and T3 respectively
(Table 6). Average daily DM intake per calf was 1.85±0.04,
1.99±0.03 and 2.19±0.04 kg for the three treatments T1, T2
and T3 respectively. On statistical analysis of the data, animals
maintained under group T3 had significantly higher (P<0.01)
DM intake than those maintained in groups T1 and T2.
Moreover, there was significant increase (P<0.01) in average
daily DM intake of calves in group T2 compared to group
T1. Improved DM intake was observed in calves (groups T2
and T3) fed with hydroponics maize fodder compared to those
fed control diet and it could be due to the better tenderness,
lushness, and succulence of hydroponics fodder compared
to green grass. Similar observations were recorded by Dung
et al. (2010b) who reported that the DM intake was higher
in sheep fed hydroponics barley fodder than those fed oats
chaff. Fayed (2011) also observed higher DM intake in
hydroponics barley fed group than those fed control diet.
The results of present study also corroborates with Verma et
al. (2015) who found higher DM intake in calves fed
hydroponics barley fodder than those fed basal diet. On
contrary, Fazaeli et al. (2011) found that the DM intake was
significantly lower in treatment group fed with hydroponics
barley fodder than those fed control diet. Naik et al. (2014)
reported no significant difference in DM intake between

4 INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH
Table 6: Cumulative feed efficiency of calves maintained in three dietary treatments
Parameters Dietary Treatments P value
T1T2T3
Total dry matter intake 167.07a ±2.74 179.17b±2.75 197.17c ±2.75 0.000**
Average daily dry matter intake (kg/animal 1.85a ±0.04 1.99b ±0.03 2.19c ±0.04 0.000**
Total body weight gain (kg) 30.39a±1.35 33.36a±1.34 40.58b±1.35 0.000**
Feed efficiency 5.50b ± 0.16 5.40b ±0.18 4.87a ±0.17 0.046*
1Average of six values with SE. **a, b, c - Means bearing different superscripts within same rows differ significantly (P<0.01). *
Significant at 0.05 level (P<0.05)
Table 7: Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in calves maintained on three dietary treatments1, per cent
Parameter Dietary treatments P value
T1T2T3
Dry matter 76.74±0.72 76.34±0.69 76.09±0.73 0.816
Crude protein 73.09±0.57 71.90±0.75 70.48±0.74 0.058
Crude fiber 65.12±1.35 63.44±1.70 60.27±0.88 0.064
Ether extract 83.07±0.59 83.04±0.80 83.62 ± 0.78 0.824
Nitrogen free extract 83.18±0.66 82.56±0.76 82.43±0.71 0.735
1Average of six values with SE
hydroponics fodder and conventional fodder fed groups and
they opined that DM intake was limited by sole feeding of
hydroponics fodder.
Feed conversion efficiency: The cumulative feed
conversion efficiency (FCR) of calves maintained on three
dietary treatments is presented in (Table 6). Improved FCR
(P<0.05) was observed in group T3 than groups T1 and T2.
However, the FCR in groups T1 and T2 were statistically
similar (P>0.05). Similar observations were also recorded
by Fayed (2011) in lambs and Helal (2015) in goats when
fed with hydroponics barley fodder. On contrary, Fazaeli et
al. (2011) reported no significant difference in FCR of calves
fed with either hydroponics barley fodder or control diet.
Digestibility of nutrients: The digestibility coefficient of
nutrients in calves maintained on three dietary treatments is
presented in the (Table 7). The digestibility coefficient of
DM values were statistically similar (P>0.05) in all three
treatments. In agreement with present results, Dung et al.
(2010b) found no significant difference on DM digestibility
in sheep fed fresh barley sprouts and control diet. Similarly,
no significant difference in DM digestibility was noticed by
Naik et al. (2013a) in dairy cows and Khanna et al. (2016)
in buffaloes fed hydroponics maize fodder and conventional
green fodder. As against the present results, Verma et al.
(2015) recorded significantly higher DM digestibility in
calves fed hydroponics barley than those fed control diet.
On statistical analysis of digestibility of crude protein did
not reveal any significant difference (P>0.05) among the
treatment group. In agreement with the present results, non-
significant influence on CP digestibility was reported by
Hillier and Perry (1969) in steers fed with hydroponics oat
grass. Similar observations were also recorded by Helal
(2015) in goats fed hydroponics barley fodder. There was
no significant difference (P>0.05) in digestibility of ether
extract among the treatment groups. Similar, observations
were also made by Naik et al. (2014) in lactating cows and
Verma et al. (2015) in Hariana male calves. Statistical
analysis of the data doesn’t reveal any significant difference
(P>0.05) in digestibility of crude fiber among treatment
groups. The CF digestibility obtained in the present study
corroborates with earlier observation by Naik et al. (2014)
who noted the average CF digestibility as 59.21 per cent in
lactating cows with supplementation of hydroponics maize
fodder replacing green grass.
Verma et al. (2015) also got statistically similar
results in digestibility of CF between hydroponics barley
and basal diet fed groups in Hariana male calves. Digestibility
of nitrogen free extract (NFE) was also did not reveal any
significant difference (P>0.05) among treatment groups.
Similar NFE digestibility was observed by Naik et al. (2014)
in dairy cows fed with either hydroponics fodder or
conventional fodder. Khanna et al. (2016) reported lower
digestibility of NFE in Murrah buffaloes fed with
hydroponics maize fodder than those fed basal diet. And it
can be inferred that the digestibility coefficients of nutrients
are statistically similar (P>0.05) and partial replacement of
calf starter with hydroponics fodder on protein basis at four
or seven per cent did not affect the digestibility coefficients
of nutrients.
Economics of production: The total cost of feed was Rs.
3661.70, 3748.97 and 4067.15 in groups T1, T2 and T3
respectively during the entire experimental period. Since,
total body weight gain was higher (P>0.01) in group T3
(40.58 kg) than T2 (33.36 kg) and T1 (30.39 kg), the cost per
kg gain was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T3 (Rs.102.14)
than the T2 (Rs. 111.64) and T1 (Rs. 119.82). In agreement
with present study, Verma et al. (2015) reported that the cost
per kg gain was lowest in hydroponics barley fodder fed
group compared to those fed control diet.

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CONCLUSION
The results of the present study indicates that
feeding of hydroponics maize fodder as a partial substitute
of calf starter on protein basis at seven per cent level
improves the DM intake, total body weight gain, ADG and
cost per kg body weight gain. Moreover, replacing the calf
starter with hydroponics maize fodder, on protein basis at
four per cent level, maintains the growth performance and
at seven per cent level, increase the growth performance of
calves compared to those fed control diet. From the overall
results, it can be concluded that hydroponics maize fodder
can effectively substitute up to 30 per cent of protein in calf
starter without compromising the growth performance.
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