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Colonisation by fragments in six common aquatic macrophyte species

Vári, Ágnes (2013) Colonisation by fragments in six common aquatic macrophyte species. FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED LIMNOLOGY, 183 (1). pp. 15-26. ISSN 1863-9135

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Abstract

Vegetative reproduction is the most common form of propagation in aquatic macrophytes. Fragmentation and consecutive re-rooting of the fragments is one way in which new macrophyte colonies may establish. The success and frequency of this strategy depends on the species and the environment. This study tested how well six species are capable of colonising this way. Tested species are five of the most abundant species of Lake Balaton, where macrophyte recolonisation is still to take place after improving water quality and one potentially invasive species. Fragments of standardized length were examined for survival, rooting rates and length growth during five to six week experiments under laboratory conditions. Effects of species, shoot part (apical or mid-stem part) and seasonality on rooting probability were analysed with logistic regression. Effects on life-cycle were also examined, in terms of continuation of growth and of flowering or seed-set. Species differed significantly in rooting rates and growth, but not in survival rates. Egeria densa, Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton perfoliatus showed the best colonisation properties (survival rates: 95 %, 84 % and 84 %; rooting rates: 88 %, 45 % and 65 %, respectively), while Potamogeton pectinatus colonised less successfully (survival rate: 91 %, rooting rate: 38 %). The annual Najas marina was the only species which frequently reached flowering (61 %), while fragmenting further, without much rooting (rooting rate: 5 %). The non-rooting Ceratophyllum demersum was least impacted by fragmentation and continued growth best, with survival rates of 100 %. Shoot part had a significant influence on rooting rate and length growth. Apical fragments had higher rooting rates and greater length growth than stem fragments, probably due to the action of their meristematic tissue. Differences in the three repetitions of the experiment may be attributable to seasonal changes in colonisation features. It is concluded that recolonisation by fragments might be an effective way for macrophyte populations to recover in Lake Balaton.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Q Science / természettudomány > QE Geology / földtudományok > QE08 Hydrosphere. Hydrology / hidroszféra, hidrológia
Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH301 Biology / biológia
SWORD Depositor: MTMT SWORD
Depositing User: MTMT SWORD
Date Deposited: 25 Jan 2014 04:56
Last Modified: 31 Dec 2020 00:15
URI: http://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/9176

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