Mineral Contents in Aboveground Biomass of Sedges (Carex L., Cyperaceae)

Magdalena Janyszek-Sołtysiak,Dorota Wrońska-Pilarek,Andrzej M Jagodziński,Mieczysław Grzelak,Piotr Gajewski,Eliza Gaweł

doi:10.3390/en14238007

Abstract

The importance of mineral elements, both in animal and plant nutrition, has been well recognized, but, in the case of sedges, the mineral composition is relatively poorly known. Studies usually relate to the content of the elements in sedge communities, or sward or hay communities with sedge participation, and rarely of Carex representatives. The objective of our study was to determine the concentrations of C, N, Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Si, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr and Ni in the biomass of 11 Carex species commonly occurring on natural sites of Central European lowland. Interspecific differentiations have been observed in concentrations of the major and trace elements among studied sedge species. The elemental composition of examined Carex species is diversified but generally similar to the composition of grasses. The study shows that sedges can increase fodder value and, therefore, they should be considered in meadow management as a valuable component of economically important meadow communities. Moreover, the data reported herein can be used for modelling the phytoaccumulation of various elements in the biomass of sedges. This will help in creating different patches suitable for obtaining adequate fodder. Our results can supplement current knowledge concerning the fodder value of meadows with sedge participation.

Highlights

Sedges (Carex L., Cyperaceae), with about 2000 species, grow in very diversified habitats from extremely dry areas, such as xerothermic grasslands, to permanently moist and even flooded areas such as raised peats or salt marshes
Sedges and communities with sedge participation are utilised as pastures for domestic animals, which constitute the components of fodder for animals, especially C. atherodes, C. rostrata, C. geyeri, C. eleocharis, C. macroechaeta, C. aquatilis and C. sprengelii
Some data have been reported about the forage value of sedge communities but rarely of Carex species representatives

Summary

Introduction

Sedges (Carex L., Cyperaceae), with about 2000 species, grow in very diversified habitats from extremely dry areas, such as xerothermic grasslands, to permanently moist and even flooded areas such as raised peats or salt marshes. Along with grasses, are common components of meadows or pastures and are an important element of vegetation. Sedges and communities with sedge participation are utilised as pastures for domestic animals, which constitute the components of fodder for animals, especially C. atherodes, C. rostrata, C. geyeri, C. eleocharis, C. macroechaeta, C. aquatilis and C. sprengelii. Some data have been reported about the forage value of sedge communities but rarely of Carex species representatives. The data usually relate to the contents of the elements in sward or hay from communities with sedge participation. Most of the works on the elemental composition of sedges are related to other issues (e.g., soil or water contamination and the ability of sedges to uptake particular elements)

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Conclusion