The Study of Soil Mixed to the Growth of Mangrove Shrub Plants for Development as Ornamental Plants

Abstract

This experiment was carried in the greenhouse of the Landscape Technology Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat Campus, Thung Song District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, from April 20 to July 20, 2019. The purpose of the study was to examine suitable soil mixture formulas for the growth of three mangrove shrub species—Sonneratia caseolaris (white-flowered mangrove), Sonneratia alba (red-flowered mangrove), and Pluchea indica (Indian camphorweed)—for use as ornamental plants in landscape design. Each plant species was grown separately in 12-inch pots, using five different soil mixtures: Formula 1 (1:1:1:1 ratio of loam soil, composted manure, rice husk ash, and coconut husk), Formula 2 (2:1:1:1), Formula 3 (1:2:1:1), Formula 4 (1:1:2:1), and Formula 5 (1:1:1:2). The experiment followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with each soil formula tested in 10 replications. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in SPSS, and treatment means were compared using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 95% and 99% confidence levels (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01). Results showed that Sonneratia caseolaris grew best in soil mixtures 4 and 5, reaching 14.00 cm in height and producing 12.00 and 10.80 new leaves, respectively, by week 12. Sonneratia alba also performed well in the same two mixtures, growing to 15.03 and 15.00 cm with 12.11 and 11.25 new leaves. Meanwhile, Pluchea indica responded best to mixtures 1 and 5, reaching heights of 12.80 and 11.80 cm and producing the same number of new leaves—12.80 and 11.80—by the twelfth week.