A Comparative Study Between Pistia Stratiotes L. And Salvinia Molesta Mitch. Based On Life Cycle And Salinity Tolerance
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Date
2014-08
Authors
Ismail, Siti Norasikin
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Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the competition between two floating aquatic weeds; Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia molesta which are listed as the most noxious aquatic weeds worldwide. This study was carried out from 4 September 2012 until 31August 2013 in the plant house at USM. There were three main objectives of this study; to examine the life cycle of both plant species, to examine the competition between the two plant species and to examine the level of plants tolerance towards the salinity. Both studied plant species were adopted from the water plant tank in the School of Biological Sciences and which then were cleaned and weighed to obtain the wet weight readings. Both plant species were grown in containers measuring 33.5 cm x 22 cm x 11.5 cm where each plant has six replicates. For the life cycle and plant competition study, any plant changes in the form of images were taken and the growth rates for each plant were recorded daily. For the level of plants tolerance towards the salinity study, 50 g plant was grown in containers containing seawater at different concentrations and any changes in plant were recorded daily. From the life cycle study, Pistia stratiotes was capable of reproducing through seeds germination and vegetative reproduction while Salvinia molesta can only reproduce vegetatively. Moreover, in term of competition study, Salvinia molesta had outcompeted Pistia stratiotes with the ratio of 9:1, Salvinia to Pistia. For the level of salinity tolerance study, Salvinia molesta was recorded to be able to survive in the seawater with concentration of 25% meanwhile Pistia stratiotes was not able to survive in seawater at all. The attempt for us to know each plant behaviour are essential and it is the first step for us to control the growth of these plants before they multiply to such an extent that interferes and threaten the environment. Since these plants are able to grow aggressively, the study of these plants is vital in our efforts to protect the environment and our water resources such as ponds, lakes, or rivers.
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A Comparative Study Between Pistia Stratiotes L. And Salvinia Molesta Mitch