Height growth of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) propagules in experimental treatments with different cultivation substrates Marcos Fernando Prandi, Fabio Giordano

Abstract

Currently, the preservation of natural resources is necessary in environments that are very susceptible to human actions, such as mangroves. Thus, the work proposed to verify the height growth of red mangrove propagules in different experimental treatments with different substrates, evaluating the condition with the best growth response for the production of seedlings for replanting and reforestation of degraded mangrove areas. The propagules were collected along the intertidal line on Santos beach, coming from the mangroves in the region. The propagule planting experiment was carried out in a mangrove area located in the Cidade Náutica III neighborhood in São Vicente, adjacent to the SEST-SENAT headquarters (control planting) and also in seedling nurseries in the same municipality on the banks of the estuary (experimental plantings). ). Three different treatments and two controls were delimited, consisting of planting only in estuarine mud inside the nursery and propagules inserted directly into the mud adjacent to the local mangrove. The experimental treatments that used pellets added to mangrove sludge and the one that used sludge from another area, without any pollution, were those that showed the most statistically significant growth of red mangrove propagules. The cultivation of Rhizophora mangle propagules in nurseries is more efficient in terms of their growth when mangrove sludge is used as part of the composition of the culture substrate.