Shoot samples of 21 species of aquatic macrophytes were separated into cell—wall and noncell—wall fractions by digestion in a neutral—detergent solution. This method is useful for estimating the digestibility of plant production by native herbivores. Nitrogen content was also used as an indication of nutritive quality. Amounts of noncell—wall material and nitrogen in the dry matter decreased as shoot standing crops of the different species increased.

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