Spartina alterniflora from Min River Estuary Wetlands-A New Source for Forage

This study was to determine the commercial value and optimum harvest time of the common cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, collected from the wetland of Min River estuaries in Fujian.The analytical results indicated that the grass' nutritional value peaked between June and September in a year.During this period of time, its crude protein reached 11.54%; calcium, 0.32%; phosphorus, 0.16%; NDF, 58.78%; ADF, 34.47%; ash, 7.93%; and NaCl, 3.35%.Consequently, S.alterniflora was found to be rich and complete in amino acids, and that it could be a potential source as forage.