Maternal origins induced plasticity in salt adaptability of Avicennia officinalis L. seedlings in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh

Abstract

The influences of maternal origins on plasticity of salt adaptability of Avicennia officinalis seedlings in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh were studied through use of a randomized block design. This study assayed different growth parameters, proline content, osmotic potential, and nutrients accumulation in different parts of A. officinalis seedlings of different maternal origins grown under different salinity regimes. Survival, chlorophyll, growth parameters, phenolic compounds, proline content, osmotic potential, nutrients (N, P, and K) and Na concentration in the roots, stems, bark, and leaves of A. officinalis seedlings originating from medium and high saline zones were higher at high salinities than those originating from low saline zone. Because of the previous exposure to high saline conditions during propagule maturation stage, seedlings of A. officinalis originating from medium and high saline zones adapted to greater salinity and thereby maintained satisfactory growth performance under high saline conditions than those from low saline zone. Thus, different maternal origins of A. officinalis brought about plasticity in salt adaptability which enabled this species to grow in a wide range of saline environments in the Sundarbans. This scientific knowledge will be useful for coastal afforestation and conservation of A. officinalis under increasing saline environments due to climate change.