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Carbohydrate levels in rhizomes ofPhragmites australis at an oligotrophic and a eutrophic site: A preliminary study

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Abstract

Seasonal dynamics of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) and of carbohydrate species (starch, sucrose, glucose, fructose) were followed in rhizomes ofPhragmites australis at two sites of the Třeboň Biosphere Reserve (Czech Republic): Branná sand pit and Rožmberk fishpond-western shore, which were classified (according to plant species composition and phosphorus availability) as oligotrophic and hyper-eutrophic, respectively.Phragmites stands at these sites were expanding and retreating, respectively. Rhizomes were sampled within terrestrial parts of the reed stands (at a water depth of about 10 cm).

The levels of total non-structural carbohydrates were determined mainly by levels of starch and sucrose, while glucose and fructose were present at comparatively low levels. The most conspicuous differences between the sites were associated with autumnal and March levels of carbohydrates. In March, i.e. at the beginning of vegetative development, TNC and starch levels were lower at the hyper-eutrophic, as compared with the oligotrophic, site. Starch and TNC levels fell from August to September at the hyper-eutrophic, but not at the oligotrophic, site. At the low water depth investigated, the differences between stands in carbohydrate levels do not seem to be large enough to account solely for their different vigour. It is suggested that the effect of water depth needs to be evaluated in more detail.

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Correspondence to Hana Čížková.

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Čížková, H., Lukavská, J., Přibáň, K. et al. Carbohydrate levels in rhizomes ofPhragmites australis at an oligotrophic and a eutrophic site: A preliminary study. Folia Geobot 31, 111–118 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02804000

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