Wild rice geochemistry and reproductive life stage data from experimental pots amended with sulfate, 2016

Abstract

Wild rice, an annual aquatic plant produces fewer, smaller seeds with less nitrogen when exposed to sulfide, but does not produce decreased vegetative biomass. We compared the timing and duration of reproductive life stages in sulfate-amended plants to unamended plants to see how sulfide affects reproductive phenology. We recorded the life stage of plants starting with initiation of reproduction until senescence and measured seed count, mass and nitrogen content. Additionally, we sampled the geochemistry of porewater, sediment, and root surfaces to understand how plant life stage may control sediment redox conditions relevant to sulfide.