Effects of water nutrients on regeneration capacity of submerged aquatic plant fragments

Abstract

-Aquatic plants play a substantial role in almost all freshwater habitats throughout the world. Even though submerged aquatic plants dominantly spread by the dispersal of vegetative plant fragments, most aquatic plant species show a broad distribution range. Here we studied the differences in the regeneration capacity and the regeneration type of fragments (by root and/or shoot growth) of eight submerged plant species (Ceratophyllum demersum, Egeria najas, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Hydrilla verticillata, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Myriophyllum heterophyllum and Myriophyllum spicatum) under different water nutrients in sediment-free conditions. Overall, M. spicatum showed the highest regeneration (82 ¡ 2%) in this study, followed by C. demersum (73 ¡ 2%) and M. aquaticum (47 ¡ 4%), whereas M. heterophyllum showed the lowest (1 ¡ 1%). The shoot fragments of E. canadensis, H. verticillata, E. najas and E. nuttallii regenerated by 40 ¡ 2, 23 ¡ 2, 16 ¡ 2 and 7 ¡ 1%. The nitrate concentration affected the regeneration capacities of E. najas (P = 0.05), M. spicatum (P = 0.013) and C. demersum (P = 0.001), whereas phosphate had no significant effect. Additionally, the different nutrient concentrations had a significant effect on the portion of the regeneration types within E. canadensis, E. nuttallii and H. verticillata. Summarizing, submerged plants differ significantly in their regeneration capacity, and water nutrients have a potential effect on the regeneration of submerged plant fragments. This might influence the further colonization and spread of the species under field conditions.

Chlorophyll fluorometry sheds light on the role of desiccation resistance for vegetative overland dispersal of aquatic plants

“…and glutathione reductase) prevent the photosynthetic apparatus from damage through ROS (Kranner & Birtić, 2005;Nayyar & Gupta, 2006 Hussner, 2009;Kuntz et al, 2014;Langeland & Sutton, 1980). Still, there are species-specific differences in the relationship between F v /F m and water loss, which may be linked to differences in the ability of the species to cope with oxidative stress caused by water deficit.…”

“…Factors such as temperature, light, and nutrient and carbon availability are known to influence the photosynthetic acclimation, growth and regeneration of aquatic plants (Hussner, 2009;Hussner et al, 2015;Kuntz et al, 2014;Lambert & Davy, 2011;Riis et al, 2012). Factors such as temperature, light, and nutrient and carbon availability are known to influence the photosynthetic acclimation, growth and regeneration of aquatic plants (Hussner, 2009;Hussner et al, 2015;Kuntz et al, 2014;Lambert & Davy, 2011;Riis et al, 2012).…”

“…Elodea canadensis Michx. initiation of new growth), however, differs among species (Hussner, 2009;Riis, Madsen, & Sennels, 2009), with submerged plants being commonly able to regenerate from small shoot fragments consisting only of a single node (Kuntz, Heidbüchel, & Hussner, 2014;Langeland & Sutton, 1980). in Europe; Cook & Urmi-König, 1985).…”

“…A low vapour pressure deficit (VPD; as a function of temperature and relative humidity), stagnant air and clumping of fragments mitigate evaporative loss of water and might cause prolonged viability of fragments (Bickel, 2015;Bruckerhoff et al, 2015;Coughlan, Cuthbert, Kelly, & Jansen, 2018;Jerde et al, 2012). single leaves, stem sections with leaves, presence of an apical tip; Hussner, 2009;Kuntz et al, 2014;Langeland & Sutton, 1980;Umetsu, Evangelista, & Thomaz, 2012) or fragment length (Bickel, 2017;Redekop et al, 2016;Riis et al, 2009). Moreover, the regeneration capacity of fragments is influenced by additional factors such as fragment type (e.g.…”

“…Even though water deficit generally reduces the survival and regeneration abilities of plant fragments, the resistance to desiccation can differ among species, determining the viability of fragments after overland transport (Barnes et al, 2013). Abiotic factors such as temperature, light, and nutrient and carbon availability are known to influence plant growth and fragment regeneration (Hussner, Hofstra, Jahns, & Clayton, 2015;Kuntz et al, 2014;Riis et al, 2012). single leaves, stem sections with leaves, presence of an apical tip; Hussner, 2009;Kuntz et al, 2014;Langeland & Sutton, 1980;Umetsu, Evangelista, & Thomaz, 2012) or fragment length (Bickel, 2017;Redekop et al, 2016;Riis et al, 2009).…”