Effect of transplantation on <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> shoots

Abstract

Posidonia oceanica shoots sampled from the healthy meadow in the bay of Revelatta (Corsica, France) were transplanted on metallic grids at 10 m depth. Transplanted shoots have been regularly monitored by the measurement of growth, biomass and C, N and P contents in the leaves and the belowground parts. After six months of experiment, the survival rates varied from 14 to 84 % on the different transplantation sites. Leaf biomass on the transplanted cuttings was lower than biomass in the control shoots but root biomass raised from December 2000 to May 2001 on the transplanted shoots. Transplant growth (8,3 +/- 2,3 mm.d-1.shoot-1) after six months was similar to control growth (8,2 +/- 2,8 mm.d-1. shoot-1). The C, N and P contents in transplants were significatively lower than in control shoots suggesting that transplanted cuttings are unable to meet their nutrient requirements. The modifications of the C, N, P contents in the belowground parts of the transplanted shoots indicate a mobilization of these nutrients in those compartments to produce new roots and restore a normal nutrients absorption