Ecological relationships of wild rice, Zizania aquatica. 3. Factors affecting seeding success

Abstract

Thirty-two sites were seeded with wild rice. Based on the number of panicles per square metre, production in the sites was categorized as commercial, marginally commercial, or unsuitable for commercial production. Discriminant analysis was used to derive two functions which explained these production differences. High values for the first discriminant function, which was interpreted as a factor of sediment phosphorus concentration and sediment type, separated the sites suitable for commercial production. The second discriminant function separated the remaining two categories on the basis of sediment type and light penetration through the water column. Those sites unsuitable for commercial production had higher values for this function than those sites which produced marginally commercial growth. Further research is needed into the spatial and temporal variations of the significant environmental variables before any recommendations can be made on the criteria for selecting potential wild rice sites.