The relative sensitivity of algae to decomposing barley straw

摘要

Bioassays were conducted on a range of algae to evaluate their relative sensitivities to straw-derived inhibitor(s). A range of sensitivities was found, including some species that were resistant to the straw-derived inhibitor(s). A microcystin-producing strain of Microcystis aeruginosa was very susceptible to decomposing barley straw. Bioassays using Euglena gracilis suggested that the inhibitory compounds were not derived from the phototransformation of straw decomposition products and did not act primarily by inhibiting photosynthesis. Susceptibility to barley straw appeared not to be related to general taxonomic or structural features. Possible implications for algal populations in natural freshwaters are briefly discussed.