The relationship between soil characteristics and the nutrient status in roots of mangrove ( Rhizophora apiculata ) trees

Plant nutrient availability is one of the major factors influencing mangrove forest structure and productivity. These nutrients are absorbed through the roots following a complex range of interacting abiotic and biotic factors in soil under a mangrove, Rhizophora apiculata forest. Hence, the objectives of this study were (i) to determine the soil characteristics in a Matang mangrove area and (ii) to compare the nutrient status of roots of mangrove trees between different age classes. Soil and root samples were collected from the productive areas (youngest, immediate, and oldest). Mangrove’s soil had textured clay loam with a pH of 6.22 to 6.97, a low EC ranging from 7.77 to 8.58 dS m −1 , and a high CEC of 22.29 to 25.29 cmolc kg −1 . There was an interaction ( p ≤ 0.05) between mangrove parts (roots and soils), productive area categories (youngest, immediate, and oldest), and tree ages (5, 15, and 25 years) for the total N and available P in mangrove root and soil samples. There was a significantly difference ( p ≤ 0.005) in available Si between roots and soils. The mangrove soil approached in N limitation but not for P. Regional diversity has significant effects on the chemical and physical properties of mangrove soil, on the mangrove trees themselves, and on the nutrient availability of the soil. These data can be useful for future planning of the mangrove areas.