Nutrient sequestration potential of water primrose Ludwigia stolinefera (Guill. & Perr.) P.H. Raven: A strategy for restoring wetland eutrophication

Abstract

The current work investigates the capacity of the water primrose ( Ludwigia stolinefera ) to sequester inorganic and organic nutrients in its biomass to restore eutrophic wetlands, besides its nutritive quality as fodder for animals. The nutrient elements and nutritive value of the water primrose were assessed seasonally in polluted and unpolluted watercourses. The water primrose plants’ highest biomass was attained during summer; then, it was significantly reduced till it reached its lowest value during winter. In the polluted canal, the plant root and shoot accumulated higher contents of all nutrient elements (except Na and Mg) rather than in the unpolluted Nile. They accumulated most investigated nutrients in the growing season during summer. The shoots accumulated higher contents of N, P, Ca, and Mg than the root, which accumulated higher concentrations of Na and K. Therefore, summer season is the ideal time to harvest water primrose for removing the maximum nutrients for restoring eutrophic watercourses. The aboveground tissues had the highest values of ether extract (EE) during spring and the highest crude fibers (CF) and total proteins (TP) during summer. In contrast, the belowground tissues had the lowest EE, CF, and TP during winter. In spring, autumn, and winter seasons, the protein content in the grazeable parts (shoots) of the water primrose was within the range, while in summer, it was higher than the minimum requirement for the maintenance of animals. There was a decrease in crude fibers and total proteins, while an increase in soluble carbohydrates content in the below- and above-ground tissues of water primrose under pollution stress. The total protein, lipids, and crude fibers of the aboveground parts of water primrose support this plant as a rough forage.

Potential Nutritional Value of the Macrophyte Vossia cuspidata (Roxb.) Griff. (Poaceae) in a River Nile System, Egypt

“…The calculated TDN values of V. cuspidata of this study (67.12 -68.16%, Table 3) are higher than the values in the shoots of the two aquatic plants E. crassipes (54.2%) and C. demersum (48.6%) (Shaltout et al, 2009), the leaves of P. australis (41.58%, Al-Sodany et al, 2012), and the shoots (51.5%) of L. stolonifera (Galal et al, 2021b). This study reveals that the TDN of V. cuspidata has suitable contents for sheep (61.7% TDN, NRC 2000) and a mature dry gestating beef cow, which requires 55-60% TDN (Gill & Omokanye, 2016).…”

“…It includes different cell wall fractions, which are resistant to the action of digestive enzymes. In the present study, the CF content in summer leaves of V. cuspidata (38.24% DM, Table 2) is higher than that reported in the shoots of some wild species inhabiting the banks of the watercourses in the Nile Delta, such as P. australis (29.9% DM) (El-Kady, 2000), Cynodon dactylon (20.5% DM), Panicum repens (27.3% DM) (Shaltout et al, 2013), and the above-ground shoots and the rhizomes and roots of the aquatic plant L. stolonifera (Galal et al, 2021b). Moreover, the range of CF contents in V. cuspidata leaves was higher than the mean CF content of temperate grasses (20.0%) and legumes (25.3%) (Norton, 1982).…”

“…In summer, the low CP of V. cuspidata was higher than that reported by Lee (2018) from the grasses Aristida adscensionis, Hyperrhenia hirta, and Chloris pycnothrix; all amounted to 2%. The highest CP content in winter (19.20 %DM) is higher than the values reported in other species of Poaceae, such as Phragmites australis (10.20%DM; Kadi et al, 2012), Echinochloa stagnina, Eichhornia crassipes, and Ceratophyllum demersum (Shaltout et al 2009) and Ludwigia stolonifera (Galal et al, 2021b). Moreover, the CP in winter leaves was comparable with the leguminous fodder crop T. alexandrinum (16.2% DM; Chauhan et al, 1980).…”

“…Both DE and ME, as well as NE of V. cuspidata leaves, are higher than those in the leaves of P. australis inhabiting the northern Lake Burullus, Egypt (Al-Sodany et al, 2012), and the roots and shoots of the aquatic plant L. stolonifera (Galal et al, 2021b). The values of DE and ME in summer and winter leaves were higher than in the hay of alfalfa (Medicago sativa; DE and ME were 11.09 and 9.08MJ kg -1 DM, respectively (i.e., 2.65, and 2.17Mcal kg -1 DM, respectively) and red clover (Trifolium pratense; DE= 10.17, i.e., 2.43Mcal kg -1 DM, and ME= 10.17 i.e., 1.99Mcal kg -1 DM, respectively) (NRC, 2000).…”

Nutrient Remediation Efficiency of the Sedge Plant (Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb.) to Restore Eutrophic Freshwater Ecosystems

“…Agricultural drainage, as well as home and industrial effluents from anthropogenic activities, are the primary causes of pollution in eutrophic water bodies, according to Galal et al [41]. In the same vein, polluted areas in the current study are surrounded by huge amounts of agricultural fields, which could dramatically raise the levels of water nutrients, particularly N and P, and, hence, enhance eutrophication [42,43].…”