Faculty of Engineering

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Open Access
Age-specific seasonal storage dynamics of Phragmites australis rhizomes: a preliminary study
(Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004-10) Karunaratne, S; Asaeda, T; Yutani, K
Age-specific seasonal rhizome storage dynamics of a wetland stand of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. in Japan, were investigated from April to October 2000. For each sampling date, above- and below-ground biomass and age-specific rhizome bulk density, ?rhiz were measured. Seven rhizome age classes were recognized, from <1 year to six years old, based on their position within the branching hierarchy as main criteria and rhizome color, condition of nodal sheaths and condition of the shoots attached to vertical rhizomes as secondary criteria. P. australis stand was moderately productive, having a net aerial and below-ground production of 1980 and 1240 g m−2, respectively, and a maximum mean shoot height of 2.33 ± 0.12 m. In spring, shoot growth started at the expense of rhizome reserves, decreasing the rhizome biomass as well as ?rhiz. Both parameters reached the seasonal minimum in May followed by a subsequent increase, indicating a translocation of reserves to rhizomes from shoots after they become self supporting. For each sampling date, ?rhiz increased with rhizome age. Given that the quantity of reserves remobilized by the rhizomes for spring shoot growth, as assessed by the drop in bulk density from April to May, were positively correlated (r = 0.97, P < 0.05) with rhizome age, it is proposed that for spring shoot formation older rhizomes remobilize stored reserves more actively than younger ones. Given that the accumulation of rhizome reserves (rise in bulk density) from May to August, May to September or May to November was negatively correlated (r = 0.97, 0.92 and 0.87, respectively, P < 0.05) with rhizome age, it seemed possible that younger rhizomes were ‘recharged’ at a higher rate than older ones. These resource allocation mechanisms pertaining seasonal rhizome storage dynamics are of paramount importance in formulating management and conservation strategies of wetlands and aquatic habitats. Our results indicate that a harvest of above-ground biomass from May to June would be more effective in reducing the growth than a harvest in July to August or later, when rhizome reserves have already been replenished. However, the latter may remove a larger shoot bound nutrient stock, still preserving a healthy stand for the subsequent years.
Embargo
Shoot regrowth and age-specific rhizome storage dynamics of Phragmites australis subjected to summer harvesting
(Elsevier, 2004-04-01) Karunaratne, S; Asaeda, T; Yutani, K
Shoots of a monospecific wetland stand of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. in Central Japan were harvested during two summer months in June (June-cut stand) and July (July-cut stand) and their effects on the stand morphology, above- and below-ground biomass and rhizome storage level (in terms of age-specific rhizome bulk density, ρrhiz), were investigated between themselves and to an uncut control stand. Both harvesting treatments increased leaf production and decreased shoot height, stem diameter, and the storage accumulation capacity of older rhizome age categories, the June-cut stand showing the lowest ρrhiz. Even though the year-end age-specific rhizome reserve level did not reach to that of uncut stand values, both treatments accelerated the post-harvest rhizome reserve accumulation rates (i.e. rate of ρrhiz increment) stimulated by shoot harvesting, especially in younger rhizomes and were negatively and linearly correlated with rhizome age. The study identified the seasonal changes of the rhizome reserve quality as essential for proper vegetation management. July or August is the appropriate harvesting time for plant stands used in phytoremediation and wastewater treatment, where a larger shoot-bound nutrient stock is removed, while preserving a healthy stand for the subsequent years. A harvest in May to June would be more effective in reducing the growth, and repeated June-cutting may likely weaken the stand beyond repair after several years.
Embargo
Growth performance of Phragmites australis in Japan: influence of geographic gradient
(Elsevier, 2003-08-01) Karunaratne, S; Asaeda, T; Yutani, K
Most of the research on Phragmites australis is restricted to sites on the European continent even though P. australis occurs abundantly in many regions in the Asian and other continents under different climatic and habitat conditions. The effect of latitude on the growth and phenological characteristics of P. australis is of importance when translating results from one geographic site to another to effectively manage and conserve reed stands. Therefore, the effects of seasonal variations of above- and below-ground biomass, stand morphology and production, and radiation conditions on growth performance of a P. australis stand in Akigase Park in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, were investigated to examine the hypotheses that: (a) the overall light extinction coefficient of P. australis at a given growth stage may be modified by the sun elevation; and (b) phenological and growth/production traits of P. australis may be correlated with the latitude, by comparing the present study with published field studies from Europe and Australia. The P. australis stand was moderately productive, having a net aerial and below-ground production of 1980 and 1240 g m−2, respectively, and a maximum shoot density of 120±9 shoots per m2. We found that the overall light extinction coefficient, κ, at the different growth stages of P. australis depends on sun elevation, θ, displaying a quadratic distribution (κ=−7.58+0.28θ−0.002θ2). Therefore, in detailed production studies, κ should always be presented with its respective θ values to estimate light attenuation characteristics. The comparison of the growth performance of P. australis across the geographic gradient revealed differences in phenological and growth/production traits. Shoot growth and panicle formation started earlier in northern latitudes (on the European continent) and later in southern latitudes (on the Australian continent) than in Japan (on the Asian continent). Strong correlations were observed between the °C-day-based growth parameters and the latitudes illustrating the dependence of the phenological and growth/production traits on temperature in the different geographic regions. These results are discussed with respect to possible effects on adaptation of P. australis to colder climates.

Faculty of Engineering

Browse

Filters

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results