Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2011
The hypothesis of reed decline being a consequence of eutrophication has been proved. Rhizomes of P. australis from two habitats differing in nutrient availability were collected during one year. In the nutrient-poor habitat, less aboveground biomass and greater starch reserves were formed in comparison with the nutrient-rich one. In the stand with a high nutrient availability, a decrease in starch content was observed in horizontal rhizomes during autumn.