Growth of mangrove seedlings in the intertidal area of Vellar estuary, southeast coast of India

Abstract

Growth of Rhizophora apiculata Blume seedlings in lower intertidal zones, grew more rapidly than those in upper intertidal ones. The growth was about 2.5-fold greater and the leaf sprouting was about it-fold higher in the seedlings growing in the lowermost intertidal zone than those in uppermost intertidal zone. The growth was also rapid towards the monsoon month of December associated with low salinity and high levels of nutrients. There was about 5-fold more of seedling growth and about 4-fold higher of leaf sprouting in December than those in summer months (April, July).