Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of tuber size and burial depth on germination and plant growth of the submerged macrophyte Vallisneria spinulosa S.Z. Yan at different light intensities

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The characteristics of propagules markedly impact the germination and plant growth of submerged macrophytes. Vallisneria spinulosa S.Z. Yan is a common submerged macrophyte and has been widely used in lake restoration projects. The responses of tuber germination and plant growth to different tuber sizes and burial depths are not well known for this species and may vary with light intensity. In this study, the tuber germination and plant growth of V. spinulosa germinated from two levels of tuber sizes (large and small) and two different burial depths in the sediment (5 and 15 cm) were tested at two light intensities (high and low) by measuring morphological and physiological traits. Although light intensity, tuber size and burial depth did not affect the tuber germination, they significantly influenced the morphological and physiological traits of the plants. Light intensity had the greatest effect on plant growth, followed by tuber size, while burial depth had the least effect. High light, large tuber and shallow burial depth favoured the plant growth performance (plant biomass, ramet and leaf numbers). The growth performance of plants germinated from small tubers was more susceptible to changes in light intensity and burial depth. Soluble carbohydrate and free amino acid contents were negatively and starch content positively correlated with the morphological traits. The study highlights the importance of tuber size and burial depth for plant growth as well as their interactions with light, which should be considered when determining lake management and restoration strategies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data sets used or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Arthaud, F., J. Toury, C. Romestaing & G. Bornette, 2021. Photosynthetic and morphological traits control aquatic plant distribution according to light stress. Evolutionary Ecology 35: 739–760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, T., P. Xie, L. Y. Ni, A. Wu, M. Zhang, S. K. Wu & A. Smolders, 2007. The role of NH4+ toxicity in the decline of the submersed macrophyte Vallisneria natans in lakes of the Yangtze River basin, China. Marine and Freshwater Research 58: 581–587.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, T., L. Y. Ni, P. Xie, J. Xu & M. Zhang, 2011. Effects of moderate ammonium enrichment on three submersed macrophytes under contrasting light availability. Freshwater Biology 56: 1620–1629.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carón, M. M., P. De Frenne, K. Verheyen, A. Quinteros & P. Ortega-Baes, 2020. Germination responses to light of four Neotropical forest tree species along an elevational gradient in the southern Central Andes. Ecological Research 35: 550–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, C., J. D. Madsen & G. N. Ervin, 2018. Effects of initial propagule size and water depth on Butomus umbellatus L. growth and vegetative propagation. Aquatic Botany 150: 27–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwell, T. B. & K. Engelhardt, 2008. Effects of pre-existing submersed vegetation and propagule pressure on the invasion success of Hydrilla verticillata. Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 515–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, K., C. Lan, L. Shi, W. Chen, H. Xu & X. Bao, 2006. Reproductive ecology of Vallisneria natans. Journal of Plant Ecology 30: 487–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Y. Zhang, L. Cao, W. F. de Boer & A. D. Fox, 2019. Wintering Swan Geese maximize energy intake through substrate foraging depth when feeding on buried Vallisneria natans tubers. Avian Research 10: 20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dirk, L. M. A., A. R. van der Krol, D. Vreugdenhil, H. W. M. Hilhors & J. D. Bewley, 1999. Galactomannan, soluble sugar and starch mobilization following germination of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 37: 41–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dunne, M. A. & R. M. Newman, 2019. Effect of light on macrophyte sprouting and assessment of viable seedbank to predict community composition. Journal of Aquatic Plant Managment 57: 90–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elamrani, A., J. P. Gaudillère & P. Raymond, 1994. Carbohydrate starvation is a major determinant of the loss of greening capacity in cotyledons of dark-grown sugar beet seedlings. Physiologia Plantarum 91: 56–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, H., G. Yuan, T. Cao, L. Ni, M. Zhang & S. Wang, 2012a. An alternative mechanism for shade adaptation: implication of allometric responses of three submersed macrophytes to water depth. Ecological Research 27: 1087–1094.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, H., G. Yuan, T. Cao, L. Ni & X. Zhang, 2012b. Clonal growth and foraging behavior of a submerged macrophyte Vallisneria natans in response to water depth gradient. Journal of Lake Sciences 24: 705–711.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghaderi-Far, F., Z. L. Cosgun, C. U. Degirmenci, I. Tuysuz, C. Ulgen & C. Tavsanoglu, 2021. Light and temperature requirements for germination in the Mediterranean shrub Lavandula stoechas (Lamiaceae). Plant Biology 23: 992–999.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Golterman, H. L., 1969. Methods for chemical analysis of fresh waters (IBP Handbook No. 8), Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford:

    Google Scholar 

  • Hecht, U. & H. Mohr, 1990. Factors controlling nitrate and ammonium accumulation in mustard (Sinapis alba) seedlings. Physiologia Plantarum 78: 379–387.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heuschele, D. J. & F. K. Gleason, 2014. Two stages of dormancy in turions of Potamogeton crispus L. Aquatic Botany 119: 100–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hidding, B., B. A. Nolet, M. R. van Eerden, M. Guillemain & M. Klaassen, 2009. Burial depth distribution of fennel pondweed tubers (Potamogeton pectinatus) in relation to foraging by Bewick’s swans. Aquatic Botany 90: 321–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hidding, B., M. Klaassen, T. de Boer, P. P. de Vries & B. A. Nolet, 2012. Aquatic plant shows flexible avoidance by escape from tuber predation by swans. Basic and Applied Ecology 13: 50–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, X. F., W. M. Cheng & Q. M. Cai, 1999. Survey, Observation and Analysis of Lake Ecology, Standards Press of China, Beijing:

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, J., Y. Z. Song & B. Q. Qin, 2010. Effect of Vallisneria natans on periphytic algae and phytoplankton with different nutrients. Environmental Science & Technology 33: 17–21.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis, J. C. & K. A. Moore, 2008. Influence of environmental factors on Vallisneria americana seed germination. Aquatic Botany 88: 283–294.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen, M. S., R. Labouriau & B. Olesen, 2019. Seed size and burial depth influence Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) seed survival, seedling emergence and initial seedling biomass development. PLoS ONE 14: e0215157.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ke, X. & W. Li, 2006. Germination requirement of Vallisneria natans seeds: implications for restoration in Chinese lakes. Hydrobiologia 559: 357–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H., G. I. Han & C. E. Ju, 2021. Effect of different treatments and light quality on Ulmus pumila L. germination and seedling growth. Forest Science and Technology 17: 162–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, W., J. Zhong, G. Yuan, H. Fu, H. Fan, L. Ni, P. Xie & T. Cao, 2017. Stoichiometric characteristics of four submersed macrophytes in three plateau lakes with contrasting trophic statuses. Ecological Engineering 99: 265–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Limón, Á. & B. Peco, 2016. Germination and emergence of annual species and burial depth: implications for restoration ecology. Acta Oecologica 71: 8–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Q., M. Fan, P. Jin, L. Riaz, Z. Wu, F. He, B. Liu & J. Ma, 2019. Sediment type and the clonal size greatly affect the asexual reproduction, productivity, and nutrient absorption of Vallisneria natans. Ecological Restoration. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13089.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z. W., J. R. Hu, P. Zhong, X. F. Zhang, J. J. Ning, S. E. Larsen, D. Y. Chen, Y. M. Gao, H. He & E. Jeppesen, 2018. Successful restoration of a tropical shallow eutrophic lake: strong bottom-up but weak top-down effects recorded. Water Research 146: 88–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lubomír, A., 2011. Dark respiration and photosynthesis of dormant and sprouting turions of aquatic plants. Fundamental & Applied Limnology 179: 151–158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, D. J., R. Bonduriansky & L. F. Bussière, 2008. Offspring size variation within broods as a bet-hedging strategy in unpredictable environments. Ecology 89: 2506–2517.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez, M. L., T. Valverde & P. Moreno-Casasola, 1992. Germination response to temperature, salinity, light and depth of sowing of ten tropical dune species. Oecologia 92: 343–353.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazarrasa, I., N. Marbà, J. Garcia-Orellana, P. Masqué, A. Arias-Ortiz & C. M. Duarte, 2017. Effect of environmental factors (wave exposure and depth) and anthropogenic pressure in the C sink capacity of Posidonia oceanica meadows. Limnology and Oceanography 62: 1436–1450.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mcfarland, D. G. & J. W. Barko, 1990. Temperature and daylength effects on growth and tuber formation in Hydrilla. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 28: 15–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaren, K. P. & M. A. McDonald, 2003. The effects of moisture and shade on seed germination and seedling survival in a tropical dry forest in Jamaica. Forest Ecology and Management 183: 61–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. A. & K. Kitajima, 2007. Carbohydrate storage enhances seedling shade and stress tolerance in a neotropical forest. Journal of Ecology 95: 383–395.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, H., D. Ge, G. Yuan, D. Zou, H. Fu & E. Jeppesen, 2021. Effect of clonal fragmentation on the growth of Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara at contrasting nutrient and light conditions. Hydrobiologia 848: 903–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, Q., H. Su, L. Ruan, W. Xia, X. Deng, L. Wang, P. Xu, H. Shen, J. Chen & P. Xie, 2022. Phosphorus enrichment affects trait network topologies and the growth of submerged macrophytes. Environmental Pollution 292: 118331.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosbakh, S. & P. Poschlod, 2019. Broad seed germination niche as an adaptation to heterogeneous aquatic habit-a case study of four Potamogeton species. Inland Water Biology 12: 68–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, B., J. M. S. Rawat & V. Pandey, 2017. Influence of sowing depth and orientation on germination and seedling emergence of Cinnamomum tamala Nees. Journal of Environmental Biology 38: 271–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solorzano, L., 1969. Determination of ammonia in natural waters by the phenolhypochlorite method. Limnology and Oceanography 14: 799–801.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, D. F. & G. G. Ksander, 1996. Growth and carbon utilization by sprouted propagules of two species of submersed rooted aquatic plants grown in darkness. Hydrobiologia 317: 69–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Su, W. H., G. F. Zhang, Y. S. Zhang, H. Xiao & F. Xia, 2004. The photosynthetic characteristics of five submerged aquatic plants. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica 28: 391–395.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, X., G. Yuan, H. Fu, H. Peng, D. Ge & J. Zhong, 2019. Effects of ammonium pulse on the growth of three submerged macrophytes. PLoS ONE 14: e0219161.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Titus, J. E. & D. T. Hoover, 1993. Reproduction in two submersed macrophytes declines progressively at low pH. Freshwater Biology 30: 63–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verhofstad, M. J. J. M., M. M. A. Núñeza, E. P. Reichman, E. V. Donk, L. P. M. Lamers & E. S. Bakker, 2017. Mass development of monospecific submerged macrophyte vegetation after the restoration of shallow lakes: roles of light, sediment nutrient levels, and propagule density. Aquatic Botany 141: 29–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J., S. Cheng, W. Liang, F. He & Z. Wu, 2009. Effects of sediment anoxia and light on turion germination and early growth of Potamogeton crispus. Hydrobiologia 628: 111–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia, Q., M. Ando & K. Seiwa, 2015. Interaction of seed size with light quality and temperature regimes as germination cues in 10 temperate pioneer tree species. Functional Ecology 30: 866–874.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, K., D. Yu & Z. Wu, 2007. Differential effects of water depth and sediment type on clonal growth of the submersed macrophyte Vallisneria natans. Hydrobiologia 589: 265–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie, Y., W. Deng & J. Wang, 2007. Growth and root distribution of Vallisneria natans in heterogeneous sediment environments. Aquatic Botany 86: 9–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong, B. H. & W. Li, 2000. Ecological studies on Vallisneria L. China 18: 500–508.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiong, B. H. & W. Li, 2002. Winter buds of vallisneria in Banghu and Zhonghuchi, two lakes in Poyang Lake nature sanctuary. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica 26: 19–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, W., W. Hu, J. Deng, J. Zhu, N. Zhou & X. Liu, 2016. Impacts of water depth and substrate type on Vallisneria natans at wave-exposed and sheltered sites in a eutrophic large lake. Ecological Engineering 97: 344–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yemm, E. W. & A. J. Willis, 1954. The estimation of carbohydrates in plant extracts by anthrone. Biochemical Journal 57: 508–514.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yemm, E. W., E. C. Cocking & R. E. Ricketts, 1955. The determination of amino-acids with ninhydrin. Analyst 80: 209–214.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, G., T. Cao, H. Fu, L. Ni, X. Zhang, W. Li, X. Song, P. Xie & E. Jeppesen, 2013. Linking carbon and nitrogen metabolism to depth distribution of submersed macrophytes using high ammonium dosing tests and a lake survey. Freshwater Biology 58: 2532–2540.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, G., H. Fu, J. Zhong, Q. Lou, L. Ni & T. Cao, 2016. Growth and C/N metabolism of three submersed macrophytes in response to water depths. Environmental & Experimental Botany 122: 94–99.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, G., H. Fu, M. Zhang, Q. Lou, T. Dai & E. Jeppesen, 2020. Effects of plant size on the growth of the submersed macrophyte Vallisneria spinulosa S.Z.Yan at different light intensities: implications for lake restoration. Hydrobiologia 847: 3609–3619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, G., Z. Yang, L. Sun, H. Fu, H. Peng & E. Jeppesen, 2021. Asexual reproduction for overwintering of the submersed macrophyte Vallisneria spinulosa at different light intensities. Aquatic Sciences 84: 13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, G., G. Di, M. Zhang, T. Cao, L. Ni, R. Fang & G. Yu, 2018. Biomechanical response of a submerged, rosette-forming macrophyte to wave action in a eutrophic lake on the Yungui Plateau, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25: 34027–34045.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuo, J., L. Liu, D. Kong, S. Zhang, D. Hu & W. Xie, 2016. Effects of sediment burial on seed germination and seedling establishment of Vallisneria natans. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 31: 289–297.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 31760148, 31770510) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province of China (Grant Nos. 2020JJ5247, 2020JJ5231). EJ was supported by the TÜBITAK program BIDEB2232 (project 118C250) and Centre for Water Technology (WATEC), Aarhus University. We thank Anne Mette Poulsen for editorial comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Rural Ecosystem Health in Dongting Lake Area, Ecology Department, College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China

    Guixiang Yuan, Lijun Sun, Peiqin Guo, Zhenglong Chen, Zhenzhi Yang & Hui Fu

  2. Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Institute of Water Sciences, Nanchang, China

    Guixiang Yuan

  3. Lake Section, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Silkeborg, Denmark

    Erik Jeppesen

  4. Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing, 100049, China

    Erik Jeppesen

  5. Limnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Ecosystem Research and Implementation, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Erik Jeppesen

  6. Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Mersin, Turkey

    Erik Jeppesen

Authors
  1. Guixiang Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lijun Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peiqin Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhenglong Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhenzhi Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hui Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Erik Jeppesen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

GY conceived and designed the research; LS, PG, ZC and ZY performed the experiments; GY and LS analysed the data; HF contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools; GY and EJ wrote and edited the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guixiang Yuan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Handling editor: Andre Andrian Padial

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 158 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yuan, G., Sun, L., Guo, P. et al. Effects of tuber size and burial depth on germination and plant growth of the submerged macrophyte Vallisneria spinulosa S.Z. Yan at different light intensities. Hydrobiologia 849, 3419–3433 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-04943-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-04943-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation