Effect of nutritional solutions and harvest times on the performance and nutritional quality of hydroponic green maize forage (zea mays) in Santa Elena

Abstract

This method is practiced without soil, it allows to produce from the early germination of seeds a forage mass of high nutritional value, consumable up to 100% and with good digestibility, thus consuming the entire plant including the roots that form a thick layer at the bottom of the tray, it is also a constant supply of food every day of the year, avoiding digestive disturbances, less incidence of diseases, increased fertility and, in general, all the advantages that animals can obtain when these are well nourished with native Rhizobium bacteria, in the Prosperidad commune, Santa Elena canton. Currently it is used in many countries in America such as Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, these countries carry out constant research to improve the technique and present it as the best alternatives for feeding in bovine, ovine, goat, equine, porcine, rabbit and birds reaching excellent production levels worldwide In Ecuador there are few investigations carried out in FVH, this is due to the fact that the largest livestock area is found in the Sierra and Oriente where there are favorable conditions for the cultivation of pastures and forages, in contrast with what happens on the coast, which due to climatic variations is directly influenced forage production and this affects the development of livestock, especially affecting the months of August to December.