Epiphytic bacterial production on Zostera marina

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A study tested if epiphytic bacteria on Z. marina L. (eelgrass) could obtain sufficient organic C from leaf photosynthesis to support their production. When individual Z. marina leaves were placed with tips in dark chambers and [14C]NaHCO3 was injected into the illuminated chambers, radioactivity appeared in the dark chambers only by translocation through the leaves. The flux of organic C from Z. marina to the bacteria was approximately 0.3 .mu.g C h-1 cm-2 while the highest bacterial production, based on 3H-thymidine incorporation rates, was 0.4 .mu.g C h-1 cm-2. DOC [dissolved organic C] excretion rates from Z. marina leaves were approximately 2% of total C fixation. Bacterial abundance and 3H-thymidine incorporation rates increased significantly from the bases to tips of the leaves. The epiphytic bacterial population is supported almost entirely by C obtained directly from Z. marina photosynthesis.

This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit: