Alvin Rhemore B. Lopez, Rowe Mari Joseph Y. Roquez, Edgar P. Zamora Jr. (February 2003)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study determined if the gender of the mangrove species Excoecaria agallocha coud be predicted even before its flowering season by means of morphological differences. The morphology of the randomly selected mangroves found in the riversides of Zarraga, Iloilo was determined in terms of mean trunk circumference, mean number of live branches, mean leaf length, mean leaf width, mean leaf weight, and mean tree height before the conduct of the study. After four months, the flowers they produced determined the gender of each mangrove tree. The study employed the mean, the standard deviation, and the t-test for independent means as statistical tools.
In terms of tree height, trunk circumference and number of live branches the male Excoecaria agallocha is taller, has greater trunk circumference and has more live branches compared to the female counterpart. In terms of leaf length, leaf width, and leaf weight, the female Excoecaria agallocha has longer, wider and heavier leaves. Although there are differences in the morphological structures, the results of showed no significant difference in the morphological structure of the male Excoecaria agallocha and the female Excoecaria agallocha.