Hort. Sci. (Prague), X:X | DOI: 10.17221/14/2025-HORTSCI

Optimisation of seed germination and seedling cultivation conditions for Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Acanthus ilicifolius in a plant factoryShort Communication

Jiawen Su, Hongxia Li, Yisong Guo, Lemian Liu, Jianfeng Chen
School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, P.R. China
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, P.R. China


Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Acanthus ilicifolius are key mangrove species, but their populations have declined recently due to human activities. To promote their restoration, this study optimised seed germination and seedling cultivation using the plant factory method. The parameters, such as illumination, salinity, temperature and nutrient conditions, were examined. Our results showed that suitable illumination, salinity and temperature promoted seed germination of both species. Nutrient addition promoted the germination of B. gymnorrhiza but had little effect on A. ilicifolius. Both species of seedlings grew best in short illumination duration and moderate illumination intensity. Although both species can tolerate high salinity, low salinity (0–10‰ for B. gymnorrhiza and 0–5‰ for A. ilicifolius) promoted seedlings’ growth. High temperature (28–32°C) accelerated the growth of both species of seedlings. Nutrient addition enhanced the growth of both species’ seedlings, especially the addition of Ca2+/Mg2+ and trace elements strongly promoted the growth of B. gymnorrhiza seedlings. We obtained optimal conditions for seed germination and seedling growth of both species in the plant factory, demonstrating that environmental control significantly enhanced their germination and growth rates. Our findings provide valuable insights into the efficiency of mangrove restoration and the sustainable development of mangrove ecosystems.

Keywords: illumination; mangrove species; nutrient; restoration; salinity; temperature

Received: February 2, 2025; Revised: May 24, 2025; Accepted: June 4, 2025; Prepublished online: February 5, 2026 

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