Growth analysis of mangrove (Rhizophora apiculata bl) propagule toward differences in types of water and planting media at Makassar mangrove center

Mangrove cultivation is currently hard to find due to many aspects that needed to be observed. The success of mangrove to grow and develop from seeds, nursery, and planting are depending on water salinity and mangroves planting media. The objectives of this study were to investigate the planting media, water types, as well as the combination of planting media and water used, which were the best for mangrove's growth. The method used in this study was an experimental field approach with a Complete Randomized Design (SRD) factorial experiment and Duncan's Multiple Range Test as its posthoc test. The growing media used were mud and mud added with compost in a ratio 1:1, and the water types used for watering were seawater, freshwater, and the mixture of seawater and fresh water in a ratio 1:1. The observation variables in this study included the increase of propagule height (measurement from cotyledon's neck up to the tips of plant shoots), an increase in diameter, and percentages of growing propagules. Watering with freshwater showed the most significant increase in height and diameter of propagules. Meanwhile, for planting media, the most appropriate one was mud added with compost. For treatment combinations, the combination of freshwater with mud added with compost provided a better effect on propagule growth. However, all of the combinations had shown growth.