Pertumbuhan Akar Propagul Rhizophora apiculata Blume. pada Medium Air Tawar.

Rhizophora apiculata Blume. is one of the mangrove species with propagules of good potential to be developed into potted ornamental plants using only fresh water medium. In its natural condition, there are many factors that affect the growth of mangroves. Eventhough mangroves have good adaptation, the use of fresh water as their growth medium is very interesting. One of the signs that indicate growth is the emergence of roots. This research was conducted to examine the growth of R. apiculata propagules in their efforts to develop into ornamental plants using fresh water medium. The results showed that the growth of R. apiculata root propagules was slow as well as the increase in the number of roots. Apiculosis was faster in the first week compared to the second week, while the number of roots increased more during the first week. Compared with the growth of R. apiculata root propagules which were planted in their natural habitat, the growth of R. apiculata root propagules in fresh water medium was slower. This condition can be overcome by adding growth regulators such as auxin in the fresh water used.