OPTIMIZING NITROGEN FERTILIZATION FOR ENHANCED HYDROPONIC PRODUCTION OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum) AND RICE (Oryza sativa) FODDER IN SUDAN SAVANNAH, NIGERIA

Abstract

Year-round provision of high-quality green fodder is a major constraint to sustainable livestock production in tropical Nigeria. Hydroponic fodder production presents a viable solution, but its productivity depends on precise nutrient management, particularly nitrogen (N) supplementation. This study investigated the effects of varying nitrogen fertilizer regimes (0, 1, and 2 g per 2 liters of water) on the growth and yield of hydroponically cultivated wheat and rice in Nigeria's Sudan savannah. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design. Parameters assessed included germination percentage, plant height, root mat depth, and final fresh biomass yield. Nitrogen application significantly (p<0.05) improved germination rates and shoot development in both crops, with wheat exhibiting a more pronounced response than rice. Plant height showed a positive correlation with increasing N levels, indicating stimulated vegetative growth. Conversely, root mat depth remained consistent across treatments, suggesting root architecture is governed more by physical factors than nutrition. Fresh herbage yield increased progressively with higher N inputs. Wheat demonstrated superior nitrogen use efficiency, yielding a maximum of 2.1 kg per tray, compared to 1.6 kg for rice. The results conclusively highlight the critical role of nitrogen in optimizing hydroponic fodder production and identify wheat as the more suitable and responsive crop for these systems. These findings provide actionable insights for maximizing fodder output in arid, resource-limited environments.