Impact of Lighting Durations on Production, Quality, and Fungal Contamination in Green Fodder

Abstract

This study aimed to identify hydroponic fodder seeds with optimal production and chemical quality and to determine the fungal species contaminating the green fodder produced. This study used a 2´5 Factorial Completely Randomized Design pattern, with 2 replications. Factor I consisted of two lighting treatments: (1) 12 hours of natural sunlight and (2)24 h of light (natural sunlight followed by LED light at 500-600 nm). Factor II included different plant types: Gramineae (maize and rice) and Leguminosae (mung beans). Significant differences were further analyzed using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) for mean comparison. Data were processed using SPSS version 24. Extending the lighting duration to24 hours did not significantly affect fresh and dry matter production, ether extract content, ash content, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), or the Digestibility of Dry Matter (DMD) and Organic Matter(OMD) in the three types of green fodder (maize, mung beans, and rice).The highest Dry Matter (DM) production was observed in green fodder rice, while the highest digestibility was found in green fodder maize. Green fodder mung beans had the highest protein content. The microbiological analysis identified four fungal species (A, B, C, and D) from the genus Aspergillus and three species (A, B, and C) from the genus Acremonium. Among these, Aspergillus B was present in maize, mung beans, and rice.