The nutritional ecology of Cyperus esculentus, an emergent aquatic plant, grown on different sediments

Abstract

In a greenhouse investigation, Cyperus esculentus L. was grown from tubers on sediments obtained from different shoreline regions of the Great Lakes, U.S.A. The sediments were predominantly fine textures, but differed greatly in organic and nutrient contents. A wide range of biomass was obtained after 3 months of growth. Concurrent sand culture experiments with Cyperus under nitrogen- and phosphorus-limiting conditions provided critical concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, which were used to evaluate the supply of these elements to Cyperus grown on the different sediments. Differences in plant growth and biomass distribution were related to sediment fertility. Nitrogen was demonstrated to limit the growth of Cyperus on 10 of the 11 sediments examined. Ratios of belowground to aboveground biomass were negatively correlated with plant growth. The allocation of biomass to both aboveground and belowground portions of Cyperus is discussed in relation to the degree of nutrient limitation and other metabolic stresses.