Leaf morphological plasticity of Xylocarpus granatum J. Koenig among the saline zones of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh

Salinity changes have a noticeable effect on the morphological plasticity of various mangrove species. This study looks at the variation in salinity found in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh and how it affects the morphology of Xylocarpus granatum J. Koenig. Samples of leaves were collected from two distinct saline zones in the Sundarbans, and their 18 morphological characteristics were studied. Leaf length, leaf width, leaf middle width, leaf upper and lower quarter width, and petiole length and all other parameters of leaf size were all found to be considerably greater in the moderate saline zone. Unique variations were also observed in terms of leaf shape. In the strong saline zone, the leaf base angle was found greater, while in the moderate saline zone, the leaf tip angle was higher. However, leaf area and perimeter were maximum in moderate saline zone. In the zone with high levels of salinity, the leaf index was greater. With the exception of petiole length and base angle, the plasticity index was higher in the strong saline habitat. In addition, this study also found that the specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content were both higher in the strong saline zone, while the leaf thickness was maximum in the moderate saline zone. Despite substantial overlap among the clusters, the ordination (PCA) findings showed a salt-stress connection between distinct salinity zones based on the leaf data. In the laboratory, leaf nutrients (N, P, and K), sodium (Na) concentrations, and organic carbon percentage from the two saline zones were examined. The higher concentration of N was found in the moderate saline zone. P concentration was quite similar in both saline zones but K and Na concentration were high in the strong saline zone. Similarly the organic carbon percentage was higher in the strong saline zone. This demonstrates that there is leaf plasticity in both of the saline zones that are present in the Sundarbans mangrove forest. This information may be useful in the long run for projects involving the study or control of this species or for afforestation efforts

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