Nutrient Content and 'In sacco' Degradation of Hydroponic Barley Sprouts Grown Using Nutrient Solution or Tap Water

Abstract

A hydroponic nutrient solution was used to raise barley sprouts to compare with sprouts raised using tap water irrigation (two treatments). In both treatments, the sprouts were raised in continuous light in a temperature-controlled room for a period of 7 days. There was no difference (p>0.05) in DM loss after 7 days of sprouting. The DM losses after 7 days of sprouting were 16.4 vs. 13.3% for tap water irrigation and hydroponic nutrient solution, respectively. Sprouts grown with nutrient solution had a higher protein concentration than those grown with tap water irrigation (17.3 vs. 15.9%), respectively. There was however, no difference (p>0.05) in 'in sacco' degradation of sprouts in the rumen of Merino sheep. There was no advantage in the use of nutrient solution for producing hydroponic sprouts compared to sprouting with tap water only. If these sprouts were fed to ruminants, the DM losses would have represented a loss in digestible energy which would otherwise have been available for productive purposes. On a large scale these losses could add to the cost of animal production.