Abstract
Some observations on propagular-size, sapling growth in tidal marsh and macro- and micromorphology of sapling leaves of a true mangrove species, Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco grown in a coastal nursery by planting propagules in tidal marsh of Shah Bunder, Indus delta, are described. Growth included such parameters as net growth (between top of propagule to the end of shoot), number of leaves per sapling, number of internodes in new growth, and photosynthetic area of the sapling. There were crystals containing cells in cortical cells. Spherocrystals and cystoliths also occurred in the cortical cells. In addition to the internal structure of leaves, the morphometric and architectural parameters such as leaf length (LL) and breadth (LB), leaf area measured graphically (LAM), apex and basal angles and aspect ratio (LB / LL) were determined. Lamina area was determined arithmetically using multiplying coefficient K (determined for this species to be 0.6573) for equation, Leaf area = K (LL x LB) and also statistically by developing regression equations for simple (linear and power models) and multiple correlation and regression. Surface micromorphological studies were undertaken with respect to the stomatal types, their density and occurrence of cork warts. On the basis of Dilcher’s (1974) stomatal classificatory scheme, paracytic, brachyparacytic, anisocytic and cyclocytic arrangement of subsidiaries was recorded. Subsidiaries distinct and raised in form of ring around the guard cells. Anticlinal walls of epidermal cells were straight to somewhat curvy. Stomatal density averaged to 96.37 ± 1.275 stomata per mm2 and stomatal size averaged to 38.36 ± 0.873 X 11.94 ± 0.267 µm. The results are discussed with respect to the available literature.
