This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of barley green FODDER produced by hydroponics system on the performance of feedlot calves. In a completely block randomized experiment, 24 cross bred (Holstein×Local) male calves were assigned randomly to one of the two treatments (diets) that were either control (grain barley) or hydroponic barley green FODDER (BGF) that was included to provide 22.8 percent of the total diet on dry matter basis. Seed grade barley was grown in a hydroponics chamber system where the growth period was adjusted for 6 days. Body weigh gain was not significantly different between the treatments, but the animals that had received the control diet had higher (P<0.05) dry matter intake than those fed BGF diet. There was a tendency (P=0.199) toward differences in feed efficiency due to dietary treatments. From economical point of view, feed cost increased up to 24 percent when the calves were offered BGF, because of the costly production of hydroponics green forage. Although the mass production of fresh FODDER was about 4.5 times per kg of barley grain, this was due to water absorption during germination and growth period. Nevertheless, the dry matter obtained was less than the initial barley grain and further dry matter losses were found in the green FODDER. These findings suggest that green FODDER had no advantage over barley grain in feedlot calves, while it increased the cost of feed.

Green FODDER plants serve as a vital source of nutrition for livestock. However, ensuring an adequate supply of these plants for livestock faces with challenges such as limited agricultural areas, water scarcity, and negative impacts from environmental and climatic factors. To address these challenges, various strategies can be employed. Hydroponic FODDER production system is new technology that can be used to produce FODDER for livestock feed without using land and soil. Hydroponic FODDER production has gained significant attention and is a prominent area of research in the field of agriculture. Many countries are actively working towards developing and implementing this technology to enhance livestock feed production. The purpose of this study is to focuses on the chemical composition and nutritional value of hydroponic FODDER in livestock production. Also, the effect of feeding hydroponic FODDER on livestock production and productivity has been reviewed. This review helps determine the potential benefits and practical implications of incorporating hydroponic FODDER into livestock feeding programs.

This research was conducted to study the performance of barley green FODDER (BGF) yield in hydroponic system fed to fattening lambs. In a 16 week experiment, barley grain was grown in hydroponic system, during 5 and 7 days growing periods and the green FODDER was included in the diet of fattening lambs, within two different feeding trials. The first trial was aimed to compare the BGF with barley grain in the diet of finishing lambs in which 27 male lambs (with 5 to 6 months age and about 40 kg initial weight) were fed with three experimental diets during a 50 day period. The diets were: 1) control, 2) five day growth BGF and 3) seven day growth BGF. In the second trial, 20 male lambs (with initial weight of 42-43 kg and about 7 months age) were used for a 49 days experiment in which BGF (7 day growth) was compared with forage portion of the diet. In first trial, feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were significantly (p<0. 01) decreased in lambs fed BGF, but no statistically differences were found between the treatments in second trial, except for the dry matter intake that was reduced (p<0. 05) in lambs fed BGF. Results of economic evaluation showed that feeding BGF increased the feeding cost, but decreased the income so that resulted in a negative economic balance in both trials. In conclusion, this study revealed that converting barley grain to green FODDER in short term hydroponic growing system, as forage for fattening lambs, would not have advantages than the original grain or forage portion of the ration, nevertheless decreased the economic and animal performance, then it is not recommended.

Trees and shrubs can supplement the quantity and quality of pastures for grazing livestock. Also they are an effective insurance against seasonal feed shortages or the risk of drought in this research seven poplar clones with high productivity and high survival percentage were selected for experiment. The purpose of this study was to provide feed resources for animals. In this experiment productivity of poplar clones at three times removal intervals were evaluated for one-year-old plants. Estimation of biomass yield (leaf and edible branch) showed that the most amount of biomass production was belong to P. e. 561/41, P.e. triplo and P.d. missoriensis clones with 18.02, 17.65 and 16.64 t.ha-1 respectively and it was significantly different at 1% level of probability.Also some growth parameters such as leaf number, leaf weight, stem weight, stem number and stump sprout percentage measured during two years. The results indicated that leaf number, leaf weight, stem weight per stand for P.e. 561/41 clone were 401, 293 gr. and 180.7 gr. respectively, so that it was the best clones than others clones. With the view of stump sprout percentage P.nigra 42/78 and P.e. 561/41 clones had higher stump sprout percent during six removal time than other clones with 88% and 85% respectively.

In order to evaluate the effect of crop rotation on weed community, a 3 - year field study was conducted with four crops including wheat, canola, FODDER corn and sorghum in Mashhad. The statistical design was randomized complete block, with rotation factor in four levels, and three replications. Weed study was undertaken on two periods, first before crop canopy closure and second before crop harvesting. The effect of rotation was investigated on the last crop. The results indicated that both rotation and previous crop have significant effect on weed dry matter and density. Weed dominant species and weed flora also affected by rotation. All variables were higher in the first period than the second. In most cases board leaf weed dry matter and density were higher than narrow leaf weed. In both periods, only forth rotation had highest weed dry matter and density. Previous crop especially canola was a volunteer plant on the next crop and only in the first period.      

In order to evaluate the effect of crop rotation on weed community, a three–year field study was conducted with 4 crops including wheat, canola, FODDER corn and sorghum in a research farm of agricultural faculty of Mashhad. The statistical design was arandomized complete block with rotation factor in four levels and three replications. Weeds study was laid out on two periods, first before crop canopy closure and second before crop harvesting. The effect of rotation was investigated on the last crop. The results indicate that both rotation and previous crop have significant effect on weed dry matter and density. Weed dominant species and weed flora were also affected by rotation. All parameters in the first period were higher than the second period. In most cases boardleaf weed dry matter and density were higher than narrowleaf weed. Second and third rotations had the highest dry matter and weed density respectively. Previous crop, especially canola, was as volunteer crop on the next plant but only in the first period. This research emphasizes the effect of crop rotation on unstability of weeds communities. Crop and sequential cropping system have an influence on both periods, but the effect of corn was higher in the second period.

The soils of desert areas are mostly low in organic matter and may fluctuate greatly in terms of acidity. Biochars are one of the materials used to improve and modify some soil characteristics. This compound is very resistant to decomposition and remains in the soil for a longer period, reducing agricultural waste and turning it into a soil conditioner. This leads to keeping carbon in the soil, increasing food security, increasing biodiversity, and reducing deforestation. In this research, an attempt was made to investigate the biochar of FODDER beet plant waste produced at different pyrolysis temperatures and its physical and chemical characteristics. For this purpose, FODDER beet wastes were collected from settlements around Birjand and after being crushed and air-dried, they were pyrolyzed in an electric furnace under limited oxygen conditions at a temperature range of 300-700 degrees Celsius. Then, the characteristics of the produced biochars were performed with 3 repetitions of measurements and statistical analyses with SPSS software. The results of this research showed that the characteristics of biochars changed significantly with temperature change. The highest yield percentage (59%), organic carbon (56.33%), total nitrogen (0.53%), water retention (0.84g/g) at 300 and 400 degrees Celsius, and the highest amount of ash (% 76), acidity (8.21) and electrical conductivity (0.1ds/cm) was obtained at a temperature of 700 degrees Celsius. The percentage of carbon and the efficiency of biochar produced at temperatures of 300 and 400 degrees Celsius were higher than other biochar produced at other temperatures. Biochar produced at 300°C has better characteristics in terms of carbon percentage and acidity efficiency compared to biochar produced at 400°C. Although these differences were not statistically significant, due to biochar production being more economical in terms of energy consumption, it is recommended to produce biochar at a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius.