TITLE:
Growth and Development of Cyperus papyrus in a Tropical Wetland
AUTHORS:
Alfonse Opio, Mike B. Jones, Frank Kansiime, Tom Otiti
KEYWORDS:
Cyperus papyrus; Growth Analysis; Wetland
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.4 No.3,
March
13,
2014
ABSTRACT: Relative growth rate (RGR) is an important
parameter in plant growth models. However, no field measurements of RGR have
been made in Cyperus papyrus (papyrus) wetlands. In this study, the growth dynamics of aerial shoots were
investigated in a tropical papyrus wetland. The aim was to estimate temporal
changes in the growth rates, and also establish the effect of water level and
temperature change on total culm number, culm recruitment and senescence. Dry
weights of shoots during their life cycle were determined using a
non-destructive method after establishment of relationship between culm
diameter and dry weight. Measurements were made over period of seven months.
During the course of the measurements, culm density significantly increased
from 16.1 to 35.9 culms.m-2. There were significant changes in both culm recruitment and senescence.
Maximum RGR of developing culms was 1.04 g g-1 d-1. Using a culm density of 27 per m-2, productivity
range was 16.74 to 37.37 g m-2 d-1. There was an inverse and significant
relationship between rate of change in leaf weight ratio (LWR) and RGR of the
culms. In conclusion, RGR of the aerial shoot development was controlled by
rate of change in LWR from 41 to 156 days of growth. There was a strong and
negative influence of water level fluctuation on total culm density.