pH Effects on Distribution and Oospore Germination of Chara braunii Gmelin(Charophyceae)

Algae > Volume 12(4); 1997 > Article

Algae 1997;12(4): 277-282.

Young Hwan Kim, Hyeong-Tae Mum

Department of Biology, Chungbuk National University, Department of Biology, Kongju National University

ABSTRACT

The effects of acidification on Chara braunii Gmelin, the commonest charophyte in Korea, were examined by the culture experiment as well as the field survey. The pH value of waters in which plants of C. braunii grow was determined during the period of February-December 1996 in 15 regions of Korea. Germination and early growth of C. braunii oospores have been investigated under a range of pH 4.0-10.0 in the laboratory. Of fifteen water systems where C. braunii grows, the minimum pH value was 6.0 and the maximum was 9.9 with the average value of 8.0. Percentage germination after 30 days was 26-36% under the culture condition of pH 5.0-10.0 although there was a lower germination rate of 8% at the lowest pH tested (4.0). There was no marked change in the protonema length and the number of rhizoids among the experimental conditions of pH 5.0-10.0. On the other hand, the early growth was depressed at pH 4.0. Our results indicate that C. braunii germlings may survive in the waters around the range of pH 5-6. However the present work confirms that the acid water of pH 4 inhibits their growth.

Key words: Chara braunii, charophyte, distribution, oospore germination, pH