Nutrient limitation of zannichellia palustris and elodea canadensis growing in sediments from fall river, california

Abstract

Predicting aquatic plant growth based on sediment nutrients is problematic. Two experiments with sandy or silty sediments from Fall River, California were performed to identify the limiting nutrient for two abundant species of submersed plants in the river. Growth of Zannichellia palustris L. or Elodea canadensis Rich, was significantly enhanced by the addition of N or a combination of N and P to sandy sediments but not those that were silty. Root shoot ratios declined for plants growing with added nutrients. Plant tissue N concentrations increased as well. Tissue N:P ratios indicated that N rather than P limited growth. Results support the literature hypothesis that sediment N availability may limit growth and distribution of submersed rooted aquatic plants. © 2003, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.