Efficiency of hydroponic green fodder as animal feed

Since the last decades, hydroponic fodder production systems have been experienced in some parts of the world. During the germination process, the growth of embryo results in the rupture of the seed coat and emergence of a young plant which it reaches to about 20cm height in a week. Apparently, the concept of putting one kilogram of seeds into a hydroponic system to obtaine several kilograms of fresh green fooder, during 7-10 days period, is appealing. Although it seems like growing a lot of feed, but in fact, increase in fresh weight is due to water and most often there is a reduction in dry matter weight and energy obtained compared with the initial grain. This technique is less a case of growing feed and more a case of spending grain and additional cost to change its quality and reduce its dry matter weight. During soaking and germination, seeds lose dry matter as they use their own endosperm energy reserves for growth, results in a carpet math of roots, green and seed residues that contains high amount of water and low dry matter. There are a number of challenges in producing hydroponic fodder and its nutritive value, but research reports indicated that the balance of DM yiled and recovery of energy is negative when grains converted to green fodder in this system. Using of hydroponic fresh forage in the diets of different animals has not shown advantages over the initial grain hence it increases the feeding cost. Contamination of green grass by mulds and mycotoxines is the other risk of the system that will affect the animal health and products. This paper evaluates and discusses the mentioned aspects of forage production in hydroponic system.