Fatiha Nait-Merzeg1, Mokrane Iguer-Ouada2, Hacina Ain-Baziz1, Lamia Bareche3, Nacima Zirmi-Zembri4 and Si-Ammar Kadi4
1 Higher National Veterinary School (ENSV) of Algiers, BP 161, Algeria
2 Abderhmane Mira University of Bejaia, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Algeria
3 Akli Mohand Oulhadj University of Bouira, Department of Agronomic Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences and Earth Sciences, 10000, Algeria
4 Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou, Department of Agronomical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Agronomical Sciences, 15000, Algeria
Nait-Merzeg, F., Iguer-Ouada, M., Ain-Baziz, H., Bareche, L., Zirmi-Zembri, N. & Kadi, S.-A. (2025). Effect of production mode on productivity, chemical composition and nutritive value of hydroponic barley fodder. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(3), 567–572
This study aimed to compare productivity, chemical composition and nutritive values of hydroponic barley fodder (HBF) in two different systems, inside a hydroponic chamber (HBFI) and outside in natural non-controlled condition (HBFO), after 8 days of cultivation. The trays (70 x32x 5cm) were shelved in modules made of aluminium. In the hydroponic chamber, temperature and humidity were adjusted between 18° to 24°C and 55 to 65% respectively. Outside the chamber, the hydroponic barley was grown from April to May where the temperature and hygrometer are 11° to 24° and 39% to 77% respectively. In both conditions, barley grain (BG) was first chemically analyzed and HBF samples were analyzed at 8 days culture and the nutritional values (energy and nitrogen values) were estimated. The results showed that barley grain presented higher (P < 0.05) dry matter (DM) than HBFI and HBFO with values decreasing sharply after germination with 89.04±1.61% vs 12.23±1.78% and 14.14±2.44%, respectively. However, crude ash (CA), total nitrogen content (TNC) and crude fiber (CF) were significantly higher in both HBF culture. When comparing HBF condition culture, broadly no important differences were observed between HBFI and HBFO and even HBFO showed highest values for CA and EE 5.12±0.86 vs 4.32±0.27 and 3.63±0.54 vs 2.8±1.16 respectively. The results showed that HBF culture enhanced protein content (DIPA and DIPN 24.54±1.00 vs 27.68±3.04; 27.10±2.39 and 64.99±3.69 vs 78.10±12.43; 75.34±9.82 respectively) with no significant difference between HBFI and HBFO. The current results showed that HBF culture in natural conditions could be an interesting alternative in animal feeding with no important investment.