Abstract
Abstract Aim The capacity of macrophytes to colonize large areas is often referred to as dependent of the investment in root system and its capacity to uptake nutrients. This work aimed to evaluate the phosphorus (P) effects on the root growth and anatomy as well as its capacity to uptake this nutrient by the aquatic macrophyte Typha domingensis. Methods Plants were grown for 60 days in nutrient solution containing 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 or 0.8 mM of phosphorus. At the end of the experiment, the root length and P root content as well as the root anatomy at the maturation and meristematic zones were evaluated. Results Higher P concentrations increased the uptake of this nutrient and plant dry mass. However, the root length was reduced by higher phosphorus levels. In addition, P increased the proportion of the root cap while reduced the proportion of the procambium at the meristematic zone. Higher phosphorus concentrations reduced the xylem vessel diameter and the proportion of the vascular cylinder at the maturation zone, whereas increased phloem proportion was observed under this condition. Furthermore, higher phosphorus levels reduced the endodermis and exodermis thickness as well as the aerenchyma proportion. Conclusions Therefore, the T. domingensis P requirement is fulfilled at 0.4 mM of this nutrient and hypertrophic conditions promote the development of unfavorable root anatomical traits and reduction of the root growth.
Highlights
The eutrophication of wetlands is a problem which arises by the uncontrolled deposition of nutrients on the environment (Zamparas & Zacharias, 2014)
Higher P concentrations increased its uptake by T. domingensis (Figure 2)
The nutrient solution (Hoagland & Arnon, 1940) provides a eutrophic condition when the recommended P concentration is used (0.4 mM) and, in this work, we reduced this concentration by a half (0.2 mM) and to zero, keeping plants under these conditions by 60 days
Summary
The eutrophication of wetlands is a problem which arises by the uncontrolled deposition of nutrients on the environment (Zamparas & Zacharias, 2014). This process has been enhanced by the agriculture and other human activities (Johnson & Rejmánková, 2005). The eutrophication by phosphorus (P) can be classified from eutrophic with 0.2 mM of P (White et al, 2000) to hypertrophic environments which show 0.999 mM of P (Steinbachová-Vojtíšková et al, 2006) This classification was already used in studies with the P effects in Typha domingensis Pers. This classification was already used in studies with the P effects in Typha domingensis Pers. (cattail) and was efficient to promote plant responses (Santos et al, 2015; Corrêa et al, 2017a)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
