Effect of Salinity and Substrate on the Emergence and Growth of Propagules of the Mangrove Species Rhizophora racemosa in the Sassandra-Dagbego Ramsar Complex, Côte d’Ivoire
Cossi Irénée Amenoudji *
African Excellence Centre on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (WASCAL/CEA-CCBAD), Felix Houphouët-Boigny University, Department of Biosciences, 22 BP 582 Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Souleymane Sanogo
African Excellence Centre on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (WASCAL/CEA-CCBAD), Felix Houphouët-Boigny University, Department of Biosciences, 22 BP 582 Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and Bioscience Research and Training Unit, Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University (UFHB), Cocody, Côte d’Ivoire.
Khévine Robaverge Djogli
West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), Universidade Técnica do Atlântico, Ribeira de Julião, Mindolo, Cape Verde.
Jean-Fabrice Adanve
African Excellence Centre on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (WASCAL/CEA-CCBAD), Felix Houphouët-Boigny University, Department of Biosciences, 22 BP 582 Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Kpedetin Frejus Ariel Sodedji
Non-Timber Forest Products and Orphan Crops Species Research Unit, Laboratory of Applied Ecology (LEA), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou 01 BP 526, Benin.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the behaviour of seeded propagules of Rhirophora racemosa (R. racemosa) on different substrates and under different salinity levels. Three substrates including sand, mud and a mixture of the two were tested together with tree salinity levels (low 5%, moderate 10% and high 25%). R. racemosa seedlings were more likely to emerge and grow under moderate and low salinity conditions. The propagules had significant early growth in mud compared to sand and mud-sand mixture. The combined effect of salt and substrate influenced significantly propagules performance in nursery (p<0.001). High propagules emergence and growth were observed in the combination mud and salt treatments as compared to sand and san-mud mixture substrates. These results provide valuable information for the management and restoration of mangroves, highlighting the optimal environmental conditions for the successful regeneration of this species.
Keywords: Climate resilience, Rhizophora racemosa, mangrove restoration, early growth, Côte d'Ivoire