Effect of Flooding Water Level and Plant Density on Growth of Pneumatophore of Avicennia marina.

Abstract

The height and numbers of pneumatophores of a mangrove, Avice nnia marina, were investigated under different levels ofplant densities and flooding water level on an experimental stand. Initial plant densities were assigned to four levels, 30,45, 89, and 260 plants per s$xue meter. After two years and nine months, water levels were changed o keep ground level (conrol), and 9cm above ground (flmded). The avenge numbers of pneumatophorgs per plant under lower plant densities were gr€t6r than those under higher densities. hreumaophores became longer in height and greater in number when the plans werc kept under flood. The total numbers and the rate of increment of pneumatophores of the higher density pots under flood well exceeded the numbers of the lower density pots under control. It was concluded ttlat the pneumatophores of A. The height and numbers of pneumatophores of a mangrove, Avice nnia marina, were investigated under different levels ofplant densities and flooding water level on an experimental stand. Initial plant densities were assigned to four levels, 30,45, 89, and 260 plants per s$xue meter. After two years and nine months, water levels were changed o keep ground level (conrol), and 9cm above ground (flmded). The avenge numbers of pneumatophorgs per plant under lower plant densities were gr€t6r than those under higher densities. hreumaophores became longer in height and greater in number when the plans werc kept under flood. The total numbers and the rate of increment of pneumatophores of the higher density pots under flood well exceeded the numbers of the lower density pots under control. It was concluded ttlat the pneumatophores of A. narina were highly responsive to lvater level.