Noparat Bamroongrugsa and Sayan Sdoodee

pp. 759 - 768

Abstract

Aerial root adaptations of Rhizophora apiculata Bl. and Avicennia marina Vierh. as related to the
changes of water levels were carried out on abandoned shrimp ponds of Prince of Songkla University,
Pattani Campus, in four water level study plots; 10 cm below soil surface, soil surface level, 10 and 20 cm
above soil surface. The results revealed that survival rates of two species were 100 percent in all treatments.
Growth of R. apiculata were high in three levels of flooding: soil surface level, 10 and 20 cm above soil surface in the 4^th and 8^th month. In one year growth of R. apiculata grown in four level of water were slightly different
(height: 10 cm below soil surface = 101.35 cm, soil surface level = 108.55 cm, 10 cm above soil surface =
102.20 cm and 20 cm above soil surface = 90.24 cm). The growth of A. marina was highest in 10 cm below
soil surface (height = 196.78 cm) and growth was high in soil surface level and 10 cm above soil surface
(height = 183.66 and 158.53 cm), respectively. The lowest growth was found in 20 cm above soil surface
(height = 122.65 cm.). The stilt root of R. apiculata showed good development in two levels of flooding: soil
surface level and 10 cm above soil surface, except in circumference of prop root which was biggest in the 20
cm above soil surface. The pneumatophores of A. marina had good development in three water levels: 10 cm
below soil surface, soil surface level and 10 cm above soil surface, except in height which was low in 10 cm
below soil surface and high in 10 and 20 cm above soil surface. The results of this investigation showed be
successfully applied for two mangroves planting and restoration.