Hydroponic green corn (Zea mays) fodder for feeding calves: an updated review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18779/cyt.v19i2.1225Keywords:
calf nutrition, hydroponic fodder, digestibility, weight gain, sustainabilityAbstract
Hydroponic green maize fodder (HMF) has been proposed as a relevant feeding alternative for calves and young cattle, especially in systems where fodder availability is affected by seasonality, feeding costs, or land and water limitations. The aim of this review was to qualitatively synthesize evidence published between 2015 and 2025 on the use of hydroponic maize fodder in calf feeding, considering nutritional, productive, metabolic, economic, and sustainability-related variables. A structured narrative review was conducted using elements adapted from PRISMA 2020. The search considered academic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, together with complementary records identified during bibliographic screening. Experimental studies and reviews related to hydroponic maize fodder in calves, buffalo calves, young cattle, or heifers were prioritized, while gray literature and documents without direct relevance to the topic were excluded. The evidence suggests that hydroponic maize fodder may improve digestibility, nutrient utilization, weight gain, and feed efficiency when used as a partial substitute for concentrates or conventional forages. Contributions related to rumen parameters, blood metabolites, and feeding costs were also identified. However, the evidence remains heterogeneous and limited regarding environmental and long-term assessments. It is concluded that hydroponic maize fodder is a promising alternative, but further experimental standardization and integrated analysis are needed before recommending its adoption in smallholder livestock systems.
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