Seed Soaking Times and Irrigation Frequencies Affected the Nutrient Quality and Growth Parameters of <em>Hordeum vulgare</em> L. Cultivated in Hydroponics

The choice of hydroponic systems for fodder production is of great importance to Sub-Saharan Africa and specifically South Africa, considering the current water crisis. This study investigated the impacts of seed soaking times and irrigation frequency on the vegetative and nutritive properties of Hordeum vulgare grown in a hydroponic room. H. vulgare seeds were weighed and soaked in sterile containers filled with 500 mL solution of 20% solution of sodium hypochlorite for 1, 3, 8, 16 and 24 h at room temperature. Once soaked, the seeds were transferred to a hydroponic system and irrigated using flood irrigation. After the 8-day growing period, growth parameters were measured, and samples were oven-dried, pulverized and then subjected to nitrogen and protein analysis. It was observed that shorter soaking time with varied irrigation frequencies had the highest impact on the weight, and nutrient yield of H. vulgare although other growth parameters investigated such as leaf length and root map expansion deviated from this trend under different soaking times and irrigation frequencies. This study revealed that a 1-h pre-soaked treatment was the best for cultivating barley hydroponically. This treatment is recommended for the cultivation of barley as it proved to be beneficial to the farmer in terms of quality yield