Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization of aquatic vascular plants and algae in replicated ponds I. Initial response to fertilization

✍ Scribed by H. F. Mulligan; A. Baranowski; R. Johnson

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 458 KB
• Volume: 48
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1573-5141
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00040162

✦ Synopsis

Populations of common submerged vascular plants were established in a series of 18 experimental ponds in 1967 and subjected to a replicated inorganic N-P fertilization program . The 18 ponds were fertilized as follows in 1968 : 6 unfertilized controls, 6 low fertility ( .75 mg . P/1) and 6 high fertility (75 mg . N/ l ., 7 .5 mg . P/ 1 .) . The high fertility levels tended to eliminate the benthic plant populations and increase the phytoplankton standing crops . Elodea canadensis grew in the highest nutrient levels but Myrio- phyllum spicatum var . exalbescens and Ceratophyllum demersum appeared to be eliminated . Potamogeton crispus produced an abundance of winter buds under conditions of high fertility . There were no obvious differences in the benthic plant and phytoplankton populations among the control and low fertility ponds .