Investigation of the effects of boron on competition betweenplant species as a environmental gradient

In this study, two species belonging to the genus Lemna (L. minor and L. gibba - Lemnaceae), where the boron (B) element is centered as the environmental gradient and is used as an indicator plant in many environmental impact assessment studies and often occupies the same / similar habitats together. It is a study designed to determine their competition depending on increasing B concentrations. In this context, the mentioned plant species have been developed in both monoculture (separately) and polyculture (together) environment and increasing B concentrations and the physical, morphological (leaf counts, surface area covered by the leaves, biomass, anthocyan, necrosis, chlorosis leaf numbers observed), biochemical (photosynthetic pigment, enzyme activity) and their response in terms of phytoremediation. Along with the results obtained from these studies, the relative competition intensity index was calculated and evaluated in relation to the results obtained. According to the results obtained, while the plants in the monoculture environment give better results in terms of almost all researched parameters, these values decrease in polyculture, which refers to a competitive environment. Despite this, individuals belonging to L. gibba species show a stronger competitive view in both monoculture and polyculture environment. We believe that this study will contribute to the literature and to better understand the responses of Lemna species to both competition and B toxicity in natural areas.