True metabolizable energy for seeds of common moist-soil plant species

Understanding the true metabolizable energy (TME) value of food is important for constructing bioenergetic models. We estimated gross energy, nutrient composition, and TME values for the seeds of 3 native and 1 invasive exotic wetland plant that occur in the diet of waterfowl. True metabolizable energy values were 0.50 +/- 0.080 kcal/g for spike rush (Ekocharis palustris), 0.65 +/- 0.080 kcal/g for alkali bulrush (Schoenoplectus maritimus), 1.31 +/- 0.090 kcal/g for perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), and 2.52 +/- 0.090 kcal/g for lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album). The TME value for 3 of 4 species, including the invasive species, was low relative to the TME value of other seeds consumed by waterfowl.