Selected Physiological Responses of Salvinia minima to Various Temperatures and Light Intensities

Two separate experiments were conducted to determine the influence of temperature (15, 23 and 35 degrees C) and various light intensities, ranging from 80 to near 700 mu mol/m(2)/s on selected physiological responses of salvinia (Salvinia minima). This was an attempt to determine the distribution range of this plant as influenced by these selected environmental factors. The first experiment was carried nut for 14 days under controlled environments, with a light intensity of 120 mu mol/m(2)/s and 14 h photoperiod. Plant growth was the highest at 23 and 35 degrees C. in comparison to those grown at 15 degrees C. The chlorophyll concentration was less influenced by the temperature than by the growth: however, carotenoid concentration at 35 degrees C was significantly higher than those obtained from the plant grown at 15 degrees C. Salvinia acclimation to cold temperature possibly included an increase in athocyanin and soluble sugar concentrations. The second experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions, 25-27 degrees C and various light intensities ranging between 80 to near 700 mu mol/m(2)/s in order to determine the light saturation curve. Salvinia was shown to have a wide range of acclimation ability to various light intensities ranging from 80 to near 700 mu mol/m(2)/s. This study should be helpful for determining the ecological distribution of salvinia.