International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) |Volume VII, Issue XII, December 2022|ISSN 2454-6194
DM. Yabrade1, F.B.G. Tanee2, G. C. Obute3
1Department of Marine Environment and Pollution Control, Faculty of Marine Environmental Management, Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko, Delta State, Nigeria
2Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
3Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Abstract: The growth response of Rhizophora racemosa seedlings was monitored in a designated artisanal refining-impacted mangrove vegetation in Delta State, Nigeria; following the application of different quantities of N.P.K 15:15:15 inorganic fertilizer. An area of 12.5 m x 6.25 m, was mapped out, demarcated into four treatment Plots-A1 (1000g N.P.K), A2 (1500g N.P.K), A3 (Natural attenuation) and A4 (2000g N.P.K), with a double control (non-polluted) Plot-B, sited 6km away. After treatment, the plots were left fallow for 30 days, after which propagules of Rhizophora racemosa were planted. Vegetative parameters such as leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, plant height, plant girth, leaf length/leaf width ratio, leaf area, plant dry weight, shoot dry weight and root dry weight were observed after 25, 50, 75 and 100 days of planting. Results showed that, the double control Plot-B, recorded the best performance in plant growth parameters among all the treatment options and was significant at P < 0.05. In the remediated plots, Plot- A4, recording the overall best performance and Plot-A2 recording the worst performance. The result indicates that, the application of appropriate quantities of N.P.K 15:15:15 inorganic fertilizer in artisanal refining-polluted mangrove vegetation, is capable of enhancing the growth performance of Rhizophora racemosa seedlings, hence N.P.K 15:15:15 inorganic fertilizer, can be used as remediation material in large scale mangrove remediation projects in the Niger.
Keywords: Artisanal refining, Rhizophora racemosa, mangrove vegetation, remediation, N.P.K 15:15:15 inorganic fertilizer, propagules, vegetative parameters, natural attenuation
I. INTRODUCTION
Mangroves refers to stands of emergent salt tolerant plants that grow in coastal areas of tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially at the intertidal region (Kraynak and Tetrault, 2003).