Contribution of macroinvertebrates to leaf breakdown in the Okpara River, Bénin.

Spraying romaine lettuce with either muriate or sulphate of potash eliminated leaf scorch (leaf breakdown) in six trials and significantly increased the yield of one. In one experiment radishes showed no foliage symptoms, but those sprayed with muriate of potash gave significantly higher yield. Leaf necrosis of Green Mountain potatoes was reduced markedly by potassium sprays in each of 4 years, while yields of U.S. No. 1 tubers were greatly increased in 3 years. Differences between muriate and sulphate of potash were not significant at the concentration used. Potassium sprays during the growing season may be profitable on crops grown in soils deficient in potassium.

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Leaf Breakdown in Streams of an Alpine Glacial Floodplain: Dynamics of Fungi and Nutrients

Journal of the North American Benthological Society ◽

10.2307/1468362 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 403-419 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Mark O. Gessner ◽

Christopher T. Robinson ◽

J. V. Ward

Keyword(s):

Leaf Breakdown

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Leaf breakdown along an altitudinal stream gradient

Fundamental and Applied Limnology / Archiv für Hydrobiologie ◽

10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/141/1998/167 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 141 (2) ◽

pp. 167-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Eric Fabre ◽

Eric Chauvet

Keyword(s):

Leaf Breakdown

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Hazel leaf breakdown in two low-order streams differing in the functional efficiency of their detritivore assemblages

Fundamental and Applied Limnology / Archiv für Hydrobiologie ◽

10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/150/2001/249 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 150 (2) ◽

pp. 249-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

John F. Murphy ◽

Paul S. Giller

Keyword(s):

Leaf Breakdown ◽

Functional Efficiency ◽

Low Order

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C3 and C4 plant leaf breakdown and assimilation by aquatic macroinvertebrates in streams of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf18430 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (7) ◽

pp. 814

Author(s):

Fernanda G. Augusto ◽

Aline F. Figueiredo ◽

Plinio B. Camargo ◽

Luciana D. Coletta ◽

Edmar A. Mazzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates ◽

C3 Plants ◽

Brachiaria Brizantha ◽

Leaf Breakdown ◽

Lowland Streams ◽

Forest Stream ◽

Study Support ◽

Lower Temperature

The breakdown of allochthonous plants is of great importance in providing energy and nutrients in streams. In this regard, shredder macroinvertebrates play an important role in decomposing organic matter. Changes in land use strongly influence the type of material entering a stream, which ultimately affects the food chain dependent on this material. This study compared the decay of C3 (Mollinedia schottiana) and C4 (Brachiaria brizantha) plants in the montane Atlantic Forest of Brazil using litterbag experiments in two streams draining watersheds of different land uses. Concomitantly, we investigated the colonisation and assimilation of these plant detritus by aquatic macroinvertebrates. The breakdown of C4 plants in the forest stream was faster than that of C3 plants; however, aquatic macroinvertebrates did not assimilate the C4 carbon. These results support other studies that have shown a greater abundance of shredders in montane tropical streams (lower temperature) than in lowland streams. Moreover, the findings of this study support the view that changes in land use alter the structure of the benthic community, and that these changes can alter the leaf breakdown process.

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