Floral and microbial dynamics in relation to the Physico-chemical constituents of the Devi-estuary of Odisha Coast of the Bay of Bengal, India

Abstract

The floristic and microbial diversity, were assessed with respect to the prevailing physico-chemical composition of the mangrove forest of the Devi estuary, Odisha, India. Floristic composition showed that Avicennia officinalis L., Avicennia alba Bl., Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham. and Acanthus ilicifolius L. were dominant plant species. Microbial population dynamics was more i.e. 3.34x10(6) CFU/gm at Bandara and lower i.e. 2.96x10(5) CFU/gm at Machamachikuda region of the mangrove sediments. Aspergilus and Streptomyces spp. were most abundant microbes in the five sampling sites. Organic carbon content and pH were significantly correlated with microbial dynamics, whereas salinity had negative relation. A positive correlation was found among the physico-chemical character viz. pH, organic carbon and salinity.