Abstract
The uptake of nitrogen (N) by waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was maximal when the culture solution contained a combination of 36 ppm N and 6,53 ppm phosphorus (P). N uptake was inhibited by increasing P or decreasing N in the culture medium. Uptake of P was stimulated by the elevation of either N or P or both. An increase of P above O ppm inhibited the accumulation of N. Similarly, the accumulation of P was enhanced by increasing levels of P but was reduced with increasing levels of N. Both N and P levels were always greatest in leaves; next highest in floats and lowest in roots. High tissue levels of these two nutrients and the capacity for nutrient removal from water by waterhyacinth indicates a possible role for this plant in the reduction of eutrophication in nutrient polluted waters as well as the use of harvested, dried tissue for fertilizer.
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Ower, J., Cresswell, C.F. & Bate, G.C. The effects of varying culture nitrogen and phosphorus levels on nutrient uptake and storage by the waterhyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms. Hydrobiologia 85, 17–22 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00011341
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00011341