ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON SOME HYDROPHYTES IN ASSIUT PROVINCE

Abstract

The present work was conducted to provide information on the ecophysiological behaviour of nine (9) submerged and floating leaved macrophytes; Eichhornia crassipes, Myrioplyllum spicatum, Certaophyllum demersum, Potamogeton nodosus, P. crispus, P. pectinatus, P. perfoliatus, Najas armata and Lemna gibba growing in different water habitats within Assiut governorate. Water and plant samples were collected monthly from twelve (12) sites at the River Nile (sites 1-5), irrigation canals (sites 6-9), drainage canals (sites 10 and 11) and a closed pond (site 12) during the period from June 1991 to May, 1992. The main parameters investigated in this study were: I- Analysis of physico-chemical characteristics of water samples, e.g. temperature, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, total soluble salts and water soluble ions such as cations (Ca, Mg', Na', K,Mn,Zn, Cu" and iron) and anions (Cr, SO,,PO, and NO) 2- Following the abundance, dominance, sociability and the presence value percentage of the plants as affected by environmental conditions. 3- Analysis of plants for soluble ionic components (corresponding to those estimated in the surrounding water). 4- Determination of some soluble metabolic (organic) fractions; namely: soluble sugars, hydrolysable (reserve) carbohydrates, soluble proteins and total free amino acids.