Establishing submersed macrophytes via sinking and colonization of shoot fragments clipped off manually

Abstract

In this paper, sinking and growth of apexes and mid-stems of Myriophyllum spicatum L., Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle and Ceratophyllum demersum L. in concrete ponds containing eutrophic water and sediment were investigated. Sinking rates of apexes and mid-stems reached 34.8% and 4.4% at the 6 th day and 91.1% and 66.7% at the 22 nd day for M. spicatum, 57.8% and 55.6% at the 6 th day and 100% and 97.8% at the 22 nd day for H. verticillata, 18.9% and 86.7% at the 6 th day and 95.6% and 100% at the 22 nd day for C. demersum, respectively. Most sunken fragments established themselves successfully with significant growth. Total shoot length of plantlets developed from apexes and mid-stems increased by 399% and 61% for M. spicatum, 593% and 256% for H. verticillata and 114% and 104% for C. demersum, respectively. The results showed that it was feasible to establish submersed macrophytes via sinking and colonization of shoot fragments clipped off manually.