RATopic1_95 - Geosystems Research Institute - Mississippi State ...

Starch Analysis
Starch samples were prepared by grinding the life
history tissue samples in a cyclone mill and filtering
them through a 40 mesh screen. Starch analyses
were conducted using the STA20 Starch Assay Kit
and methodology developed by Sigma Aldrich
(Figure 2). Above ground starch peaked in August
of 2006 (107.5 ± 0.8 g starch -1 m 2 ) and in September
of 2007 (95.5 ± 1.0 g starch -1 m 2 ) (Figure 3).
Below ground biomass peaked in December of
2006 and November of 2007 with 239.5 ± 1.6 g
starch -1 m 2 and 330.6 ± 0.51 g starch -1 m 2 respectively
(Figure 3).
Figure 2. Common reed (Phragmites australis) starch analysis study
at Mississippi State University.
Figure 3. Average starch of above and below ground tissues of common reed in the Mobile
River Delta.
2009 USGS Annual Report 10 Mississippi State University’s Geosystems Research Institute