Abstract

SALAS PEREZ, Lilia; BORROEL-GARCIA, Victoria Jared; RAMIREZ-ARAGON, Mercedes Georgina  and  MONCAYO LUJAN, María del Rosario. Effect of the addition of ascorbic acid and compost tea on the production and antioxidant capacity of corn hydroponic forage. Nova scientia [online]. 2018, vol.10, n.20, pp.47-63. ISSN 2007-0705.  https://doi.org/10.21640/ns.v10i20.1168.

The production of hydroponic green forage (FHV) is an option that can help to solve the problem of the lack of forage supply in times of drought and shortage of food for livestock. This type of fodder presents acceptable yield besides being of great nutritional and nutraceutical value, for which it can promote the health of cattle. The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of the application of ascorbic acid and compost tea in the system production of hydroponic green forage. The research was carried out in the Lagunera Region, in a greenhouse located in the San Lorenzo Ejido, in the Municipality of San Pedro de las Colonias, in the State of Coahuila, Mexico. For the production of FVH, maize seed of the San Lorenzo variety was used, which was evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design with six replicates per treatment, which were: compost tea (TC), compost tea plus ascorbic acid (TCAA), water plus ascorbic acid (AAA) and water (A) as a control. The variables evaluated were yield, percentage of dry matter, total phenol content and antioxidant capacity. The analysis of variance showed significant differences (p≤ 0.05) in all variables evaluated, attributable to the application of compost tea and ascorbic acid. A 41% increase in yield was found with compost tea treatment compared to control. The highest results in dry matter production were found using Compost Tea (TC) and Compost Tea - Ascorbic Acid (TCAA) with 18.91 and 17.6%, respectively. The TCAA treatment obtained 49.5% more total phenolic compounds than the control. The results showed a significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity by the combination TCAA with 25 and 32% more (ABTS+ and DPPH+, respectively) in the values obtained with respect to the control. It is concluded that the use of organic sources such as ascorbic acid and compost tea improves the yield and antioxidant capacity of hydroponic forage, which is why it is recommended for application in hydroponic systems of organic forage.

Keywords : green fodder; organic production; phenolics compounds; antioxidant capacity.