DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT A study was undertaken in 1990 at Char Kashem, Rangabali under Patuakhali Coastal Afforestation Division in Bangladesh to find out the suitable mangrove species for underplanting in the established coastal plantation. Nine major mangrove species namely Ceriops decandra, Aegiceras corniculatum, Phoenix paludosa, Excoecaria agallocha, Heritiera fomes, Lumnitzera racemosa, Xxlocarpus mekongensis, Cynometra ramiflora and Bruguiera sexangula were tried. The highest survivability was found in A. corniculatum and P. paludosa (87.67%) and lowest in L. racemosa (61.33%). The maximum and minimum diameter after 11 years of planting were found in E. agallocha (10.15 ± 0.73cm) and in L. racemosa (2.20 ± 0.04cm) respectively. The maximum and minimum heights were found in E. agallocha (10.30 ± 0.36m) and in L. racemosa (3.60 ± 0.05m) respectively. C. decandra, A. corniculatum, P. paludosa, E. agallocha, H. fomes, X. mekongensis and C. ramiflora were found promising (survivability more than 80%). Among these species E. agallocha, H. fomes and X. mekongensis are tree species and others are shrub or small tree or thorney palm. Considering the types of plants, survival rate, diameter and height growth, E. agallocha, H. fomes and X. mekongensis are found highly promising for underplanting in the western coastal belt of Bangladesh.