Growth of Rhizophora apiculata propagules and Nypa fruticans seeds in Setiu, Terengganu

Abstract

The study was conducted to find out the growth and survival rate of 2 mangroves species which commonly replanted in any mangrove replanting project, Rhizophora apiculata and Nypa fruticans. Taking part in Kampung Pengkalan Gelap, Setiu, Terengganu, and the project began in June, 2010 with the sowing of 90 individuals for each species in the nursery. The plants growth and survival were observed monthly and after 4 months raised in nursery, they were transferred to a selected field, about 1 km from the nursery. Follow up survival inspection after transfer was done twice, after the 1 st and 3rd month of transfer and all the findings were recorded. It was found out that Rhizophora apiculata grow at a steady rate in the nursery, due to suitable salinity of the area which is 12 ppt. However, after transferred to the field, the plants were having shock problem since the salinity there is lower than at nursery, averagely 5 ppt. Thus, it took the plants more than 1 month to adapt with the new environment and start growing again. As for Nypa fruticans, they grew slowly in the first 4 month in the nursery since about 50% of the seeds do not grew to develop the l st set of leaves. However, after the 4th month, all seeds plumule start to develop their I st set of leaves and start growing at a steady rate. After transferred to the field, the plants were not facing shock problem with the salinity changes and continue to grow steadily. Both species have high survival rate during raised in the nursery, leading to a fact that water salinity was a crucial factor in determining the survival of a species, and ensuring the success of a mangrove replanting project.