Decomposition of young water hyacinth leaves in lake water |
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Authors: | Mahendra K Gupta Pankaj Shrivastava Pradeep K Singhal |
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Institution: | (1) Limnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Science, R.D. University, 482001 Jabalpur, India |
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Abstract: | Rates of weight loss and release of nutrients during different phases of decomposition in young water hyacinth leaves were
determined under laboratory conditions. The leaves decomposed solely by physical leaching during the initial 4-day phase and
later by microbial processes. The largest part of weight loss and nutrient release by physical leaching took place within
the first 4 h of incubation and thereafter the decomposition rate declined. Microbial processes decayed leaves at a significantly
higher rate than that by physical leaching. The overall decay rate constants were related inversely and the release of nutrients
directly to the levels of leaf additions in the lake water. The dissolved inorganic and organic nutrients were released chiefly
by abiotic processes during the initial as well as later phases of decay. The release was significantly higher during the
initial phase in comparison with that during the later phase. Microbes utilized only a small amount of nutrients that were
released during decomposition of water hyacinth leaves. The % release of various elements from the decaying leaves was in
the order of K > P > C > Na > N. |
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Keywords: | Eichhomia crassipes decomposition dry weight loss nutrient release |
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