An experiment on the effect of Osmocote fertilizers on growth and nutrient status of <em>Carex buchananii</em> was conducted in the years 2008–2009. <em>Carex buchananii</em> is a dense-tufted sedge growing up to 60 cm in height, with very narrow, stiff, red, copper and olive colored leaves throughout the season. Plants were grown in a greenhouse in pots with peat substrate for 18 weeks. The differentiating factors included the type of fertilizer, i.e. Exact Standard 16:11:11 and Osmocote Exact High Start 11:11:19, and fertilizer application rates of 2 and 4 g dm<sup>−3</sup>, the phase of growth, i.e. 1 to 9 weeks and 9 to 18 weeks of culture. The greatest increment in the tuft circumference of <em>C. buchananii</em> was recorded in the first 9 weeks of culture, while that of the fresh weight of aboveground parts – in the period from 9 to 18 weeks. The application of Osmocote Exact High Start at 4 g dm<sup>−3</sup> in the culture of <em>C. buchananii</em> resulted in the production of the desired quality of the plants with a greater tuft circumference and shorter leaves. It was shown that best quality plants contained in their aboveground parts the following amounts of macronutrients and sodium (g kg<sup>−1</sup>): N – 18.9, P – 3.5, K – 37.2, Ca – 5.8, Mg – 3.0, and Na – 0.3.
Evaluation of the nutrient status and forage quality of the hippo grass (Vossia cuspidata (Roxb.) Griff.) along Ismailia canal, Egypt
