Determination of nutritional values of barley and common vetch mixtures germinated by hydroponi̇c method

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hydroponic forage production system as an alternative forage source in response to the increasing demand for roughage in ruminant animals. Various plant species are used in hydroponic forage production systems, with the most commonly utilized ones belonging to the cereal group, such as barley, wheat, oats, and rye. These plant seeds are germinated in a hydroponic system and can be used as an alternative forage source at the end of a 7–8-day period. In contrast to common practices, this study examines the hydroponic forage yield and quality of pure and mixed forms of barley and common vetch. The experiment was conducted in the Rapid Breeding and Plant Growth Room of the Department of Field Crops at Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. The trial was carried out for eight days under controlled conditions at 23 ºC and 65% relative humidity, following a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Until the first emergence, the seeds were kept in darkness for approximately two days, followed by a 16:8 hour light/dark photoperiod condition. Irrigation was performed with tap water in equal amounts, considering the condition of the germinated seedlings. In this study, green forage yield (g/treatment), crude protein ratio, ADF, NDF, Relative Forage Value (RFV), mineral content (Ca, Mg, K, and P), and tetany values were analyzed. The results showed that green forage yield ranged between 138.9 – 309.3 g, crude protein content varied from 13.81% to 31.90%, ADF ratio was between 12.13% and 19.66%, NDF ratio ranged from 24.24% to 35.66%, RFV varied between 206.2 and 297.7, and tetany values ranged from 1.899% to 3.611%. Additionally, mineral nutrient elements were found to be at sufficient levels. The findings of this study demonstrate that the integration of common vetch into barley-based hydroponic forage production significantly enhances both yield and nutritional quality. The results indicate that green forage yield, crude protein content, and relative forage value improve with the inclusion of legumes, while maintaining sufficient mineral nutrient levels. Specifically, the incorporation of 60-80% common vetch into barley grains was found to be the most effective combination in terms of both yield and forage qualit