Suppressed growth of the submersed macrophyte Vallisneria natans in a non-rooted suspended state

The growth, morphological traits, and biomass accumulation and allocation pattern of Vallisneria natans grown from buds were observed in a non-rooted suspended state in the laboratory. Submersed anchored V. natans were about 229% higher in height, 208% higher in leaf number, 719% greater in total root length, 64% higher in lacunal root volume, and 1473% greater in total biomass dry weight compared with suspended V. natans. However, insignificant differences existed in root diameter, specific root length, and biomass allocation patterns. These results indicate that when V. natans is not anchored to a substrate in the normal mode, the growth will be markedly suppressed.