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Growth and nutrient responses of Eloecharis cellulosa (Cyperaceae) to phosphate level and redox intensity¹

²Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 USA; ³Plant Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Alle Building 135, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; ⁴South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-4680 USA

ABSTRACT

Phosphorus (P) availability limits plant growth in many ecosystems. The ability of plants to explore for soil P is often impaired by nonresource stressors. Understanding the effects of these stressors on P acquisition in oligotrophic environments is critical in predicting species dominance. Growth and nutrient responses of Eleocharis cellulosa to redox intensity and phosphate level were evaluated under three redox potentials (Eh) and three phosphate (PO₄) levels (P). Although low Eh (–150 mV) decreased root length at low P, Eh did not affect shoot height, relative growth rate (RGR), shoot elongation, photosynthesis, or biomass of E. cellulosa. Low PO₄ (10 µg P · L^–1) strongly inhibited growth. Shoot height, RGR, elongation, photosynthesis, and biomass were lower at 10 µg P · L^–1 than at 80 or 500 µg P · L^–1. None of the growth variables, except the ratio of root-supported biomass to root biomass, significantly differed between the 80 and 500 µg P · L^–1 treatments. At low P, plants allocated relatively more biomass to roots than to shoots, compared to the medium and high P levels. Eleocharis cellulosa is well adapted to flooded conditions that lower soil Eh, and elevated PO₄ levels further promote its growth potential.

Key Words: biomass • Cladium jamaicense • Eleocharis cellulosa • Everglades • flood adaptation • nutrient accumulation • nutrient use efficiency • photosynthesis

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				S. I. Baksh and J. H. Richards An architectural model for Eleocharis: morphology and development of Eleocharis cellulosa (Cyperaceae) Am. J. Botany, May 1, 2006; 93(5): 707 - 715. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]