Primer Reporte de Elodea callitrichoides (Rich.) XCasp en el Valle Inferior del Río Colorado

Abstract

The Lower Valley of the Colorado River (VIRC) comprises 535,000 ha, which 140,000 ha are registered with the right to irrigation. The water transfer system includes 5,441 km of irrigation channels and 3,738 km of drainage channels. The transfer of water for irrigating is carried out through a network of earth channels, where several weed species grow, resulting in less water conduction efficiency. Among the submerged aquatic weeds available, the most common are Chara contraria, Stuckenia pectinata, and Zannichellia palustris. During different surveys conducted with the aim of optimizing control techniques of submerged weeds, a new important established plant population was found in an irrigation channel, which had not been registered before in the area. Several individuals were collected and carried to the laboratory for identificating purposes. Based on its morphological characteristics, this species was identified as Elodea callitrichoides, which is a vascular plant, perennial, and native to South America. It has been reported as a weed in different aquatic systems; thus, it is considered potential problem in the irrigation channels of the VIRC. After of this first report of E. callitrichoides in the irrigation channels of CORFO, the geographical distribution is increased.