Abstract
Nitella hookeri A. BR., a native charophyte of the Rotorua lakes in the North Island of New Zealand, was investigated in terms of its nutrient requirements under laboratory culture in non-arenic conditions. Optimum growth in phosphate, nitrate, ammonia, iron and magnesium occurred at 20 mg l−1 or lower. Higher concentrations of these ions were markedly inhibitory to growth when compared with the optimum. Calcium and potassium gave growth at higher levels and over a wider range of concentrations. Sulphate and sulphur-amino acids do not promote growth above the levels of the basal medium (1.2 mg l−1 sulphur as SO2−4). Amino acids did not appear to provide a nitrogen source for the plant.
The optimum phosphate concentration was one thousand times higher than previously reported values. This may be due to the presence of arsenic in the vegetative propagules used from Lake Rotoiti. Iron toxicity effects may have resulted from the presence of EDTA.
The results are considered in relation to the known levels of nutrients present in lake waters. Only phosphorus appears directly correlated with the natural distribution of the plant but it is suggested that anaerobic lake substrates may contribute iron and ammonia to the plants and further explain their distribution.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, E. J. & Nelson, E. W. - 1910 - On the artificial culture of marine plankton organisms J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K, 8, 421–474.
Anderson, D. M. W. & King, M. J. - 1961 - Polysaccharides of the Characeae. IV. A non-esterified Pectic Acid from Nitella translucens. J. Chem. Soc., 1052, 5333–5338.
Anderson, R. G. - 1958 - The growth and reproduction of Chara in a definable medium. University microfilms Inc: Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Anderson, R. G. - 1960 - The growth and reproduction of Chara in a definable medium. Dissertation Abstracts, Nebraska.
Biteover, E. H. & Sieling, D. H. - 1951 - Effects of various factors on the utilization of nitrogen and iron by Spirodela polyrhiza. (1) Schlied. Plant Physiol., 26, 290–303.
Bollard, E. G. - 1966 - A comparative study of the ability of organic nitrogenous compounds to serve as sole sources of nitrogen for plant growth. Plant and Soil, 25, 153–166.
Bold, H. C. - 1942 - The cultivation of algae. Bot. Rev., 8, 69–138.
Buljan, M. - 1942 - Fizioloska istrozivanja Lranidbe parozina (Chara). Tiskara Merkantile (Jutrisa i Sedmak) Zagreb.
Buljan, M. - 1949 - Quelques investigations physiologiques sur la nutrition de Chara. Acta Botanica Universitatie, 12 and 13, 239–264.
Burström, H. - 1952 -Studies on the growth and metabolism of roots — VII Calcium as a growth factor. Physiol. Plantatum 8, 391–402.
Chapman, V. J., Brown,J. M. A., Dromgoole, F. I., & Coffey, B. T. - 1971 - 1. Lake Rotoiti — Submerged vegetation of the Rotorua and Waikato lakes. N. Z. Jl. mar. and Freshwat Research, 5, No. 2, 259–279.
Chapman, V. J., Coffey, B. T. & Brown, J. M. A. - 1971 - 2. ‘Cyclic Change’ in Lake Rotoiti - Submerged Vegetation of the Rotorua and Waikato Lakes. N. Z. Jl. mar. and Freshwat. Research, 5 (3 & 4) ; 461–82.
Dainty, J. & Hope, A. B. - 1959 - The water permeability of cells of Chara australis. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 12, 395–411.
Coffey, B. T. - 1970 - A contribution to the autecology and control of Lagarosiphon major. M.Sc. Thesis (unpublished), Library of University of Auckland.
Fish, G. R. - 1963 - Observations on Excessive Weed Growth in two lakes in New Zealand N.Z. J. Bot. 1 (4) 410––418.
Fish, G. R. - 1970 - A Limnological study of Four New Zealand Lakes. N.Z. Jl. mar. and Freshwat. Res. 4 (2), 165–193.
Fogg, G. E. - 1965 - Algae cultures and Phytoplankton Ecology - Athlone Press; University of London.
Forsberg, C. - 1960 - Subaquatic macrovegatation in Osbyjon Djunholm. Oikos 11 (2), 183–199.
Forsberg, C. - 1964 - The vegetation changes in Lake Takern. Sv. Bot. Tidskr., 58, 44–54.
Forsberg, C. - 1965a - Sterile germination of oospores of Chara and seeds of Najas marina. Physiol. Plantarum, 18, 128–137.
Forsberg, C. - 1965b - Environmental conditions of Swedish Charophytes. Symb. Bot. Upsal. 18 (4).
Forsberg, C. - 1965c - Nutritional Studies of Chara in Axenic Cultures. Physiol. Plantarum 18, 275–290.
Forsberg, C. & Forsberg, B. B. - 1969 - Some Limnological Features of Lake Langsjon, Bjorklinge. Sv. Bot. Tidskr., 63 (1), 49–71.
Groves, J. & Allen, G. O. - 1935 - Review of Queensland Charophytes. Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland, 46, 34–59.
Hopkins, E. F. - 1930a - Iron-ion concentration in relation to growth of Chlorella and the availability of iron. Bot. Gaz., 89, 209–240.
Hopkins, E. F. - 1930b - Manganese as an essential element for green algae. Amer. J. Bot., 17, Suppl. 1947.
Imahori, K. & Iwasa, K. - 1965 - Pure Culture and Chemical Regulation of the growth of Charophytes. Phycologia, 2 (3), 127–134
Jeanjean, R. & Blaxo, F. - 1970 - Influences des ions arsenite Sur l'absorption des ions phosphate par les Chlorellas. C.R. Acad. Sci. Ser. D., 270, 1897–1900.
Johnston, R. - 1963 - Sea water, the natural medium of phytoplankton. I. General features. J. Mar. Biol. Assn. U. K. 43, 409–425.
Jolly, V. H. - 1968 - The comparative Limnology of some New Zealand Lakes. I. Physical and Chemical. N.Z.Jl. mar. and Freshwat. Res., 2, 214–259.
Kain, J. M. & Fogg, G. E. - 1958 - Studies on the growth of marine phytoplanton. J. Mar. Biol. Assn. U. K, 37, 397–413.
Krauss, R. W. - 1962 - Inhibitors In Physiology and Biochemistry of Algae — ed. R. A. Lewin. Academic Press, New York and London.
Krugers, J. & Agterdenbos, J. - 1957 - Photosensitivity of Iron. III. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic — Complex. Nature, 179, 45.
Lannoye, R. J., Tarr, S. E. & Dainty, J. - 1970 - The effects of pH on the ionic and electrical properties of the internodal cells of Chara australis. J. Exptl. Bot., 21 (68), 543–551.
Litwack, G. & Pramer, D. - 1957 - Absorption of anti-biotics by plant cells. III. Kinetics of streptomycin uptake. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 68, 396–402.
Livingstone, D. A. -1963 - Chemical composition of rivers and lakes, in “Data of geochemistry”, Sixth Edition, M. Gleischer ed. Geological Professional Paper 440-G.
Mayer, A. M. & Gorham, E. - 1951 - The iron and manganese content of plants present in the natural vegetation of the English lakes. Ann. Bot., N.S., 15, 247–263.
MacRobbie, E. A. C. - 1966 - Metabolic effects on ion fluxes in Nitella translucens. I. Active fluxes. Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 19, 363–370.
MacRobbie, E. A. C. - 1966 - Metabolic effects on ion fluxes in Nitella translucens. II. Tonoplast fluxes. Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 19, 371–383.
Oortli, J. J. & Jacobson, L. - 1960 - Some quantitative considerations in iron nutrition of higher plants. Plant Physiol., 35, 683–688.
O'Kelley, J. C. & Herndon, W. R. - 1961 - Alkaline earth elements and the release of oospores and development in Protosiphon botryoides. Amer. J. Bot., 48, 796–802.
Peebles, M. J., Mercer, F. V. & Chembers, T. C. - 1964 - Studies in the comparative physiology of Chara australis. I. Growth pattern and gross cytology of the internodal cell. Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 17, 59–61.
Pramer, D. - 1955 - Absorption of antibiotics by plant cells. II. Streptomycin. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 62, 265–273.
Rodhe, W. - 1948 - Environmental Requirements of freshwater plankton algae. Symb. Bot. Upsal. 10 (1), 1–149.
Ross, M. M. - 1959 - Morphology and physiology of germination of Chara gymnopitys A. Braun. I. Development and Morphology, Aust. J. Bot., I, 1–11.
Sandan, T. - 1955 - Physiological studies on growth and morphogenesis of the isolated plant cell cultured in vitro. I. General features on the growth and morphogenesis of the internodal cell of Characeae. Bot. Mag. Tokyo, 68, 307–311.
Sandan, T. - 1958 - IV The effects of some vitamins, plant growth hormones, and fat soluble substances. Bot. Mag. Tokyo, 71, 159–162.
Sandan, T. & Ogura, T. - 1957 - Physiological studies on growth and morphogenesis of the isolated plant cell culture in vitro. III. The effects of pH, auxins, and inhibitors. Bot. Mag. Tokyo, 70, 124–128.
Spanswick, R. M. & Williams, E. J. - 1965 - The calcium fluxes and membrane potential in Nitella translucens. J. Expl. Bot., 6, 463–474.
Von Stosch, H. A. - 1961 - Wirkungen von Jod and Arsenite auf Meeresalgen in Kulture. in Proc. 4th Internat. Seaweed Symposium, Biarritz, 1961, ed. De Virville & J. Feldman, 142–150.
Wetzel, R. G. & McGregor, D. L. - 1968 - Axenic culture and nutritional studies of Aquatic Macrophytes. Amer. Mid. Nat, 80, (1) 52–64.
Wilson, D. P. - 1951 - A biological difference between natural sea waters. J. Mar. Biol. Assn. U. K., 30, 1–20.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Starling, M.B., Chapman, V.J. & Brown, J.M.A. A Contribution to the Biology of Nitella hookeri A. Br. in the Rotorua Lakes, New Zealand. Hydrobiologia 45, 91–113 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006448
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006448