Seasonal variation in phytomass and nutrient status of Phragmites australis along the water courses in the middle Nile Delta, Egypt.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

Abstract

The present study provides an evaluation of the nutrient status of Phragmites australis, which is one of the most
important weeds along the water courses in the middle Nile Delta Egypt. Shoots were collected seasonally from
twenty-five permanent stands. Living and dead parts and total phytomass were estimated. The inorganic (Na, K,
Ca, Fe, Mg, P, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb and Co) and organic (carbohydrates, total nitrogen, total protein, ether extract,
crude fiber and ash) contents were estimated. Some digestible and energy parameters (digestible protein, total
digestible nutrient, digestible energy, metaboilse energy, and net energy) were calculated. Based on the nutrient
analysis, the present study evaluated the nutritive value of plant as a poor forage.

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