Survival and Growth of Mangrove Tree Seedlings in Different Types of Substrate on the Ajuruteua Peninsula on the Amazon Coast of Brazil

Abstract

The present study investigated the growth and survival of seedlings of Rhizophora, Avicennia, and Laguncularia raised in three different substrates: mangrove soil, latosol, and sand. The study was based on an entirely random factorial design (3 × 3) × 3, with three tree species, three substrates, and three replicates. The experiment was conducted in a nursery installed in the municipality of Braganca, in the northern Brazilian state of Pará. The seedlings were grown in 17 cm × 27 cm polyethylene containers. Survival was calculated based on the percentage of germinated propagules surviving after 270 days. Seedling heights were evaluated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and morphological parameters were compared using Tukey’s test. All three species were ready for replanting after 270 days. The R. mangle and A. germinans seedlings presented better rates of survival and growth on the substrates tested. All three species grew well in the substrates tested, and the production of seedlings in yellow latosol would appear to be the most effective approach.