Some effects of acidic growing conditions on three emergent macrophytes: Zizania aquatica, Leersia oryzoides and Peltandra virginica

Transplants of Zizania aquatica L., Leersia oryzoides (L.) Shwartz, and Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott and Endl. were grown for ten weeks in simulated marsh conditions under acidic (pH 3.0, pH 4.0) treatment regimes and compared with controls (pH 5.6). Mortality was low in all treatments and nearly all plants of Z. aquatica and L. oryzoides flowered. Under acidic conditions, transplant height and root biomass of Z. aquatica were significantly reduced, with greater culm numbers and total lengths of inflorescences per flowering plant compared to controls. Shoot biomass of L. oryzoides transplants was significantly greater in the most acidic treatment (pH 3.0). Transplants of P. virginica grew slowly and did not flower during the experiment; heights and shoot biomass of P. virginica were significantly reduced with increased leaf chlorosis in acidic conditions.