Assessment of Macro and Microelement Accumulation Capability of Aquatic Weeds Growing with Gorgon Nut

Gorgon nut (Euryale ferox Salisb.) is an aquatic plant, and generally grows in ponds or lakes with aquatic weeds and thus faces strong competition for the uptake of nutrients from the growing medium. However, weeds can be used as roughages for animals and for organic compost as weeds remove nutrients from water bodies. Furthermore, their nutrient absorption capacity has not been studied in detail especially when they are growing in association with gorgon nut. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the food value of Marsilea quadrifolia, Eichhornia cressipes, Ceratophyllum demersum, Ipomoea aquatica and Azolla pinnata, growing in association with gorgon nut. The results showed that Ipomoea aquatic had the highest protein content while N concentration was highest in Azolla pinnata (3.60 %). The maximum P and K content were found in Ceratophillum demersum and Ipomoea aquatica, respectively. The highest accumulation of heavy metals was observed in the tissues of Marsilea quadrifolia and lowest in Ipomoea aquatica.