Barley Cultivars and Seed Rates Effects on Energy and Water Productivity of Green Fodder Production under Hydroponic Condition

Abstract

Background: Green fodder availability for livestock is decreasing because of climate change impacts on crop productivity and scarcity of land and water resources. Therefore, barley green fodder production in hydroponic systems could be an alternative to ensure sustainable green forage production for livestock. In spite having advantages such as high nutritional and economical values, marginal land use, providing natural feed for animals, and availability during all seasons of year, green fodder production in hydroponic system should be evaluated from energy, water productivity, and GHG emissions intensity point of view. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of barley cultivars and seed rates on the energy indices, GHG emissions intensity, and water productivity of barley green fodder production under hydroponic condition. Methods: This research was conducted in the form of a completely randomized experimental design with two factors, 12 treatments, and 12 replications. Barley cultivars of Raihan, Behrokh, EC and Fasih were main factors, and seed rates of 600, 700 and 800 g/tray were considered as subplots. Input and output energies, energy indices, fodder dry matter, water productivity and GHG emissions intensity were determined in this study. Result: Results showed that barley cultivar and seed rate had significant effect on fodder dry matter, water productivity, and GHG emission intensity; while, energy indices were only affected by barley cultivars. Behrokh cultivar had the highest fodder dry matter, water productivity, energy indices and the lowest GHG emission intensity. Seed rate of 800 g/tray provided the highest fodder dry matter, water productivity and lowest GHG emission intensity. Therefore, Behrokh barley cultivar with seed rate of 800 g/tray was recommended for barley green fodder production in hydroponic systems in semi-arid climate condition of Iran.