Assessment of production and nutritious quality of oats as green hydroponic fodder under desert conditions

Productive and nutrition parameters of oats grown as green hydroponic fodder were assessed by three assays under desert conditions in the "Pampa del Tamarugal" area of northern Chile. The first assay assessed four seed soaking times (0, 12, 24 and 48 hours). The variables measured were percentage and mean rate of germination. The best treatment was 12 hours of seed soaking. The second assay assessed different seed doses (1.6, 3.2, 4.8, and 6.4 kg m-2). The variable measured was the percentage of normal plants 10 days after sowing. The best seed dose was 6.4 kg m-2, which had the greatest value of normal plants. The third assay tested four harvest times (7, 10, 13 and 16 days after sowing); the traits measured were plant height, conversion (dry matter of forage per dry matter of seeds) and chemical analysis of harvested material. The tenth day was the best harvest time, which contained 36.86% dry matter, 14.79% crude protein, 18.77% fiber and better sanitary conditions of forage. The results obtained in this study allowed the establishment of the basic parameters of production and nutrition quality for oats grown as green hydroponic fodder under desert conditions.

Source:
Fuentes, F., Poblete C., Huerta M., Palape I. 2011. Assessment of production and nutritious quality of oat as hydroponic green fodder under desert conditions (Original title: Evaluación de la producción y calidad nutritiva de avena como forraje verde hidropónico en condiciones de desierto). Idesia. 29(3): 7-13.