Rhizophora mucronata Leaf Litter Decomposition by Fungi on Various Level of Salinity in Belawan

Abstract

: Rhizophora mucronata is one mangrove species that is quite dominant found in Belawan. R. mucronata litter that falls to the forest floor will decomposed with soil microbial decomposers. Fungi are species that play an important role in the decomposition process and can assist the process of plant growth. The purpose of this study were to determine the frequency of colonization and the number of species and diversity index fungi in leaf litter R. mucronata at different levels of salinity. The research using purposive sampling method by determining the 3-point observation stations based on differences in salinity. The research showed that the highest fungi population found in station 1 with salinity 0-10 ppt worth 4.04 × 102 cfu / ml. The highest frequency of fungi colonization of litter decomposition process found in Trichoderma sp. The highest number of fungi species was found in the level of salinity 0-10 ppt as many as 13 species of fungi. The index species of fungi in Belawan waters show the same range that is currently illustrating that sufficient productivity, ecosystem conditions fairly balanced, ecologically balanced pressure.