Tropical Plant Research

Tropical Plant Research

An International Journal by Society for Tropical Plant Research

ISSN (E): 2349-1183 ISSN (P): 2349-9265
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2016, VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2Pages: 354-360

Nitella flagelliformis A. Br. and Chara braunii Gm. - two new records of Charophytes from fresh water bodies in Hooghly district, West Bengal, India

Nilu Halder and Sankar Narayan Sinha*
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Abstract:
The present paper was dealt with morpho-taxonomic descriptions of two Charophycean algal species such as Nitella flagelliformis and Chara braunii, from one each of genera Nitella and Chara of the family Characeae under the order Charales with different valuable information like habitats, altitude of collection sites, phenologies, limnological notes, threats and significances for the first time from Hooghly district, West Bengal, India. Both the species were collected from freshwater aquatic ecosystems. They were found as waterlogged or submerged conditions and attached with bottom muddy soil in water bodies by rhizoids (anchorage organ). The physico-chemical parameters that favoured their distribution and growth in water bodies were recorded and found to be congenial. The analysis of water revealed some important characteristics like slight alkaline pH, lower level of essential nutrient contents (nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate) and salinity; moderate total alkalinity and, higher chemical oxygen demand at the time of their collections from freshwater bodies. Out of these two Charophycean algal species, Nitella flagelliformis is a new report of occurrence from the state of West Bengal, India.
Nitella flagelliformis: A, plant body; B, globule and Chara braunii: C, plant body; D, sex organs (globule & nucule).

Fig.: Nitella flagelliformis: A, plant body; B, globule and Chara braunii: C, plant body; D, sex organs (globule & nucule).


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