Biomass, nutrients and nutritive value of Persicaria salicifolia Willd. in the water courses of Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

In the present study, we evaluate the biomass and nutritive value of the living and dead shoots of Persicaria salicifolia and their capacity to accumulate heavy metals and nutrients to be used as phytoremediator. The living and dead parts attained their highest phytomass during autumn. The dead parts accumulated higher amounts of copper, manganese and zinc than the living parts. On the other hand, the living parts had higher amounts of carbohydrates, ether extract, crude fibers and total protein. Due to its higher nutritive value, the living parts were considered excellent forage. Furthermore, the plant in the drains accumulates more nutrients and heavy metals than that in the canals. Some constituents (calcium, iron, digestible crude protein and crude fibers) had significant positive correlation with phytomass. The ability of the dead parts of P. salicifolia to accumulate higher values of nutrients renders this plant as a powerful phytoremediator for removal of pollutants from the aquatic ecosystems.