ISSN:
1365-2427
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
SUMMARY. Populations of Potamogeton richardsonii in Sparrow Lake, Ontario, vary greatly in leaf dimensions and internode length. Leaf length/breadth (L/B) ratio is increased by low irradiance, significantly at 4% daylight and, in a contrary fashion, by ontogenetic drift at high irradiances of shallow water. L/B ratio was not correlated with substrate. These findings suggest that this ratio is of doubtful value taxonomically or as an integrator, as specific leaf area is confirmed to be, of factors like photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Longest internodes belong to plants from deep(1.8 m) water, and, in a summer-grown high-density population, internode length decreases logarithmically as depth lessens; both observations implicate PAR and ageing. Relative to undisturbed, shallow-water shoots, young transplants in full daylight elongate almost twice as fast because of the production of more, and longer, internodes. Young shoots in 12% daylight lengthen even more rapidly than those in full daylight (and four times faster than undisturbed shoots) in the same period because of quicker elongation of the same number of internodes. At ambient summer temperatures, this rate of elongation is inversely related to PAR. Experimental and seasonal field data indicate that maximal internode extension occurs on young shoots in very low irradiances at temperatures of 9–15°C; in nature, effects of increasing water temperatures are depressed by increasing irradiances and ageing until minimal extension takes place in old shoots at mid- to late-summer temperatures and in high irradiances. In tanks (40 m3) in full daylight, nutrients limit growth of plants on sand before they limit growth on clay (with marl intermediate) whereas, at 12% daylight, light limits growth on sand before soil nutrients do. The leaf area index on silty sand on an exposed shore was 0.4 at 0.5 m depth, in contrast to a cultured population where it was 4.0 in silty loam at the same depth. Thus, while it has not been possible to explain some variations in leaf morphology of P. richardsonii in environmental terms, the differential effects of ontogeny, PAR and temperature on shoot growth have been assessed, along with overall effects of light and nutrients on biomass and of shelter on leaf area index.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.1978.tb01446.x
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