II-E-8 



Burkholder, P.J. 1956. Studies on the nutritive value of Spartina 



grass growing in the marsh areas of coastal Georgia. Bulletin of the 



Torrey Botanical Club 83:327-334. 



Extensive low areas along the coast of Georgia are covered with marsh 

 grasses. Among these grasses, Spartina alterni flora Loisel contributes 

 on a large scale to primary productivity in the marshes and shallow 

 estuaries of the region. Especially luxuriant growth of this dark 

 green grass, oftentimes attaining a height of six feet, occurs in 

 the low marshes, along riverbanks and on the shores of islands. 

 The grass of high marshlands is yellow-green in color, tougher, and 

 generally less than two feet in height. The Spartina main crop grows 

 during a long season from March to October. In protected places 

 with southern exposure, however, the grass may show growth of tender 

 green shoots even during the winter months. The crop apparently 

 disintegrates slowly during the year or two following its maturation 

 in the fall. Microbial conversion of grass and its consumption by 

 small herbivores lead into the complex cycle of nutrition which 

 supports crustaceans, fish, and fowl, all of which abound in the 

 region. 



General observations of the extensive productivity and potential 

 uses of Spartina in the coastal regions of Georgia prompted the 

 collection of samples of the marsh grass for analysis of its nutritive 

 content, with particular reference to its B vitamins and amino acids, 

 known to be essential for growing animals. The study found that 

 proximate analysis of young Spartina yields values similar to those 

 that have been published for Coastal Bermuda grass. The following 

 data (percent dry basis) represent the contents of growing shoots 

 of Spartina : fat, 2.98; protein, 13.24; crude fibre, 29.75; ash, 12.83; 

 and nitrogen-free extract, 40.20. The therms per pound are 1.68. 

 Weathered shoots, collected in August from growth of the preceding 

 year, show loss of their leaves, and greatly lowered content of fat, 

 protein, calcium and phosphorus. 



The ten essential amino acids, required for growth of the rat and 

 man, constitute about 15 percent of the protein of Spartina . Bio- 

 logical value of the protein is calculated to be deficient as a nitrogen 

 supply for marine animals, and it is suggested that microbial conversion 

 of the grass may act as a transformer to step up the potential value 

 of the pool of protein in the sea. (J.B.) 



Keywords: productivity, nutrients, Spartina , Georgia 



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