Abstract

PRECIADO RANGEL, Pablo et al. Effect of vermicompost lixiviate on the production of hydroponic corn forage. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2014, vol.32, n.4, pp.333-338. ISSN 2395-8030.

In arid zones, the occurrence of droughts cause livestock production to collapse because of the consequent scarcity of forage; hence, the design and application of new forage production schemes gains relevance. This work assessed the yield and nutrimental quality of green hydroponic corn forage fertilized with nutrient solutions, conventional, or inorganic (SNC), one organic solution (SNO), whose formulation was based on a vermicompost lixiviate, and a control treatment without fertilization (potable water). Fourteen days after sowing, response variables were assessed: plant height, fresh weight, seed-forage conversion, dry matter, water use efficiency, crude protein content, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber. It was concluded that both nutrient solutions favored yield and nutrimental quality of corn plants, as compared with the control treatment. Also, the vermicompost lixiviate showed results statistically similar to the SNC and thus can be considered a sustainable option for the production of green hydroponic corn forage in arid zones.

Keywords : green forage; liquid organic fertilizer; hydroponic forage production.

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