LEAF AREA AS A MEASURE OF STANDING CROP OF FLOATING AQUATIC MACROPHYTES

Abstract

Leaf area is evaluated as a measure of standing crop of Salvinia molesta Mitchell and Azolla filiculoides Lam. cultures under controlled conditions. Growth rates as derived from leaf area determinations agreed with pigment extractions and fresh and dry weight measures for S. molesta and in a reduced scale for A. filieuloides. Leaf area could be applied as a measure of standing crop of floating aquatic macrophytes and its main advantage lies in its non-destructive nature.