132
M. S. Miswan et al.
Table 8.4 Previous studies
on Heliconia psittacorum to
remove pollutants
Type of plants
Results
Researchers
Heliconia
psittacorum
Removal of 72%
ammonia nitrogen
Madera-Parra
et al. (2015)
Heliconia
psittacorum
Removal of 13%
of N
Konnerup et al.
(2009)
Heliconia
psittacorum
Removal of 33%
of ammonia
nitrogen
Peña-Salamanca
et al. (2013)
Heliconia sp. stands out among tropical flowers due to its high consumer acceptance, due to its shape, intense colouring and exoticism of the inflorescence, including
its high post-harvest durability. According to Madera-Parra et al. (2015), Heliconia
psittacorum has been reported for the removal of 72% ammonia nitrogen when
applied in phytoremediation of landfill leachate. Therefore, this makes Heliconia
species among flower plants with high potential of nutrient removal (phytoremediation). The most important functions of the plants are related to their physical effects
in the lake water. The roots provide a huge surface area for the attached microbial
growth, and in temperate regions, the plant litter provides an insulation layer against
frost during winter. Plants can also facilitate aerobic degradation by releasing oxygen to the rhizosphere, but oxygen release rates are difficult to be quantified and the
overall effect on pollutant removal is probably varying (El-Khateeb and El-Bahrawy
2013). Regarding the uptake of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), many studies in
temperate climate showed that the amount which can be removed by harvesting is
generally insignificant (Geng et al. 2017). However, in tropical climates where the
plants grow faster and throughout the year, the uptake of nutrients can probably contribute to significantly higher removals of nutrients as has been reported in several
studies. However, if the plants are not harvested, the incorporated nutrients will be
released again during decomposition of the biomass (Table 8.4).
8.6.1 Temperature Effect on Plant Growth
Among the naturally occurring environmental factors, temperature is considered to
play a predominant role in controlling proper growth and flowering. Most Heliconia
species could not tolerate cold weather and will suffer injury when temperature falls
below 13 °C. Criley and Broschat (1992) and Manarangi et al. (1988) found that
higher temperatures increased the number of flowers and their production rate. The
general climatic conditions are required for healthy growth are warm and humid.
M. S. Miswan et al.
Table 8.4 Previous studies
on Heliconia psittacorum to
remove pollutants
Type of plants
Results
Researchers
Heliconia
psittacorum
Removal of 72%
ammonia nitrogen
Madera-Parra
et al. (2015)
Heliconia
psittacorum
Removal of 13%
of N
Konnerup et al.
(2009)
Heliconia
psittacorum
Removal of 33%
of ammonia
nitrogen
Peña-Salamanca
et al. (2013)
Heliconia sp. stands out among tropical flowers due to its high consumer acceptance, due to its shape, intense colouring and exoticism of the inflorescence, including
its high post-harvest durability. According to Madera-Parra et al. (2015), Heliconia
psittacorum has been reported for the removal of 72% ammonia nitrogen when
applied in phytoremediation of landfill leachate. Therefore, this makes Heliconia
species among flower plants with high potential of nutrient removal (phytoremediation). The most important functions of the plants are related to their physical effects
in the lake water. The roots provide a huge surface area for the attached microbial
growth, and in temperate regions, the plant litter provides an insulation layer against
frost during winter. Plants can also facilitate aerobic degradation by releasing oxygen to the rhizosphere, but oxygen release rates are difficult to be quantified and the
overall effect on pollutant removal is probably varying (El-Khateeb and El-Bahrawy
2013). Regarding the uptake of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), many studies in
temperate climate showed that the amount which can be removed by harvesting is
generally insignificant (Geng et al. 2017). However, in tropical climates where the
plants grow faster and throughout the year, the uptake of nutrients can probably contribute to significantly higher removals of nutrients as has been reported in several
studies. However, if the plants are not harvested, the incorporated nutrients will be
released again during decomposition of the biomass (Table 8.4).
8.6.1 Temperature Effect on Plant Growth
Among the naturally occurring environmental factors, temperature is considered to
play a predominant role in controlling proper growth and flowering. Most Heliconia
species could not tolerate cold weather and will suffer injury when temperature falls
below 13 °C. Criley and Broschat (1992) and Manarangi et al. (1988) found that
higher temperatures increased the number of flowers and their production rate. The
general climatic conditions are required for healthy growth are warm and humid.