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

The present study provides an evaluation of the nutrient status of Phragmites australis, which is one of the mostimportant weeds along the water courses in the middle Nile Delta Egypt. Shoots were collected seasonally fromtwenty-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, totaldigestible nutrient, digestible energy, metaboilse energy, and net energy) were calculated. Based on the nutrientanalysis, the present study evaluated the nutritive value of plant as a poor forage.