Growth characteristics of aquatic macrophytes cultured in nutrient-enriched water: II. Azolla, Duckweed, and Salvinia

摘要: Seasonal growth characteristics and biomass yield potential of 4 small-leaf, floating, aquatic macrophytes cultured in nutrient nonlimiting conditions were evaluated for central Florida’s climatic conditions. Biomass yields found to be 10.6, 11.3, 16.1, 32.1 t (dry wt) har−1 yr−1, respectively, azolla (Azolla caroliniana), giant duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), common (Lemna minor), salvinia (Salvinia rotundifolia). Operational plant density was the range 10–80 g dry wt m−2 azolla, 10–88 duckweed, 10–120 35–240 salvinia. Specific rate (% increase per day) maximum at low densities decreased as increased. Results suggest that floating plants may not suitable monoculture production systems because yields, but they inclusion poly culture with larger plants. The high N content (crude protein = 20–33%) small-leaf,floating suggests use animal feed.