PROPAGATION OF SEAGRASS IN 25 PPT

INTRODUCTION

Seagrasses is flowering plants, rooted in sediments on the sea bottom, with shoots appearing above substrate. They have different vegetative and reproductive structures (Japar Sidik B. et al., 2012). Segrasses occurred at 78 sites scattered in the west and east costs of Peninsular Malaysia even in Sabah and Sarawak. They can be found along the coasts growing in association with shallow intertidal, mangroves, coral reefs, semi-enclosed lagoons and shoals. There are fourteen major species of seagrasses recorded in Malaysia and Enhalus acoroides is one of them. (Japar Sidik B. et al., 2007). Other major species of seagrasses are Halophila beccarii, H. uninervis, Cymodocea rotundata, C. serrulata, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium isoetifolium, Ruppia maritime and Thalassodendron ciliatum.

Tape seagrass or also called as Enhalus acoroides can be found in the subtidal zone and is slow to produce new shoots but produces high biomass, being a very large seagrass. The siltier the water, the longer the leaves grow in order to capture more light. This is the only species that releases pollen to the surface of the water in sexual reproduction, which limit its distribution to intertidal and shallow sub-tidal areas. According to Green and Short (2003), it is a slow in growing species, persistent with a poor resistance to perturbation.

This species is very common seagrass in areas of Southease Asia. In Thailand, it occurs in brackish water canals down to the lower intertidal and sub-tidal zones on mud, muddy sand and sandy coral substrates. This species has variety of uses such as food source, animal medicine, fibre, handicrafts and fertilizer. Thus, this experiment was conducted to observe Enhalus acoroides growth rate which is in the room and lab condition with the same salinity of water (25 ppt).

METHODOLOGY

1.      25 ppt of water was prepared by using tap water and artificial ocean salt.

2.      The initial length of shoots and roots were recorded.

3.      The seed was placed in the different tank with same salinity (25 ppt).

4.      The tank was kept in different placed which is lab and room condition.

5.      The length of leaves and roots were recorded for every week.

Figure 1: Artificial ocean salt that used to produce 25 ppt water to culture seagrass.

Figure 2: Seagrass culture that placed in lab condition.

Figure 3: Initial observation of seed culture in room condition.

Figure 4: Initial observation of seed culture in lab condition.

Figure 5: Transferring seed culture into tank with their substrate (beach sand)

Figure 6: Transferring seagrass seed culture into tank without substrate

 RESULTS

 Figure 7: Seed culture in lab condition (25 ppt); a – initial week; b – after one week; c – after two weeks; d – after three weeks; e – after four weeks.

 

Figure 8: Seed culture in room condition (25 ppt); a – initial week; b – after one week; c – after two weeks; d – after three weeks; e – after four weeks.

Table 1: Data of seagrass culture in lab and room conditions

LAB
	LEAF COUNT	LENGTH OF LEAF (cm)	LENGTH OF ROOT (cm)	TOTAL LENGTH (cm)
Initial day	2	1	No root	2
1st week	3	2.5	No root	3
2nd week	4	4.3	1.2	7
3rd week	4	4.5	1.5	7.5
4th week	4	5	2	8
ROOM
	LEAF COUNT	LENGTH OF LEAF (cm)	LENGTH OF ROOT (cm)	TOTAL LENGTH (cm)
Initial day	1	0.5	No root	1
1st week	2	1.8	No root	2.3
2nd week	2	2	No root	3
3rd week	3	2.7	No root	3.5
4th week	3	3.4	0.7	5.2

DISCUSSION

From the experiment, the result shows that growth rate in lab condition is more faster compare to room condition. Root of seed only starting to grow after forth week in room condition while in lab condition, after one week the root already start to grow. Total length of seagrass culture in lab is 8 cm while in room is only 5.2 cm. It might be due to the sunlight penetration in room is less compare in lab. Thus, it is very important to study about the habitat of the seagrass before start to culture them.

This species is included in various conservation and management plans and programs. In Malaysia, under the Marine Fisheries Act 1985, seagrasses are protected in marine parks. This species very sensitive to disturbances, including global climate change, such as sea water level is increases.

CONCLUSION

Seagrass seed culture need proper places to grow faster. It also important to monitor water parameter since this species is very sensitive. Growing them in lab condition is more suitable compare in room condition.

REFERENCES

1.      Japar Sidik B. et al., (2007). Distribution and Significance of Seagrass Ecosystems in Malaysia. State of Malaysian Environment. Pg. 203-214.

2.      Japar Sidik B. et al., (2012). Historical review of seagrass research in Malaysia before 2001. Coastal Marine Science 35(1): 157-168, 2012.