Evaluation of the growth of Vallisneria americana Michx Rogers, S. J., D. G. McFarland, and J. W. Barko. 1995. Evaluation of the growth of Vallisneria americana Michx. in relation to sediment nutrient availability. Lake and Reservoir Management 11(1):57 66. Reprinted by U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, July 1997. LTRMP 97-R011. 10 pp. (NTIS #PB97-197081) ABSTRACT A recent (1988-1991) decline of Vallisneria americana Michx. (wildcelery) in Lake Onalaska, Wisconsin, prompted coordinated laboratory and field studies to evaluate the capacity of different sediments in the lake to support Vallisneria growth. Two sites were selected that formerly supported Vallisneria beds but differed in hydrologic patterns and sediment characteristics. Sediment from Site 1 (the protected site) was predominantly fine-textured, with a silt-clay particle fraction of 77 percent; sediment from Site 2 (the unprotected/open water site) contained 79 percent coarse-grained sand. In the laboratory study, production and morphology of Vallisneria were examined on nonamended sediments from each site and on the same sediments amended by additions of N and P. In the field study, Vallisneria tubers were planted at the two sites and harvested after 12 weeks of growth to compare morphology and tissue nutrient concentrations. In order to account for local temperature and light conditions, surface water temperature, Secchi depth, and light attenuation were monitored on a weekly basis. Laboratory study results revealed that increased N availability (by N addition) generally increased total biomass production and plant height, and to a lesser extent, tuber and seed pod production. Additions of P had little overall positive effect on Vallisneria growth. Where growth was limited, N concentrations in aboveground plant tissues were below the critical N level established for this species. However, in all treatments of the study, aboveground tissue P concentrations were adequate for growth. In the field study, Vallisneria grew well at both sites and apparently was not limited by N or P. The only significant difference in growth between the two study sites was in maximum plant height (greater at site 2), probably a response by Vallisneria to differences in ambient light conditions between the two sites. Marked differences between field and greenhouse study results suggest that growth of Vallisneria on intrinsically infertile sediments may depend on a continuous N supply to the sediments, most likely via sedimentation. Present (1992) conditions in Lake Onalaska are suitable for growth; thus, reestablishment of Vallisneria in the lake is likely, as long as conditions remain unchanged. KEYWORDS Biomass production growth, Lake Onalaska, nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment fertility, Upper Mississippi River, Vallisneria