Growth, Production and Nutrient Uptake of Duckweeds in Fishponds and in Experimental Cultures

Abstract

In his review of the literature about the Lemnaceae, Hillman (1961) characterizes duckweeds as “inconspicuous plants of no economic importance”, being suitable only as “experimental organisms for morphogenetic, physiological and biochemical research”. The situation has now changed markedly; these aquatic plants have been studied thoroughly as: (1) potential means of reducing inorganic nutrients and organic pollution in waste waters (Culley and Epps, 1973); (2) source of animal feed (Schulz, 1962; Taubaev et al., 1971; Culley and Epps, 1973); (3) biological indicators of water quality (Lange and Zon, 1973); (4) model material in plant-population studies (Clatworthy and Harper, 1962). Duckweeds have proved their high production capacity as well as rate of nutrient absorption.