Effect of seedling density and growth regulators on field grown red alga <i>Gelidiella acerosa</i>

Abstract

Planting was done to study the effect of (i) seeding biomass and (ii) pretreatment with growth regulators (ascorbic acid, kinetin and naphthalene acetic acid at 100 mg.l ^-1 conc.) on the growth, yield of the alga, and the agar content and physical properties (gel strength, melting and gelling temperatures). Two plantings and 2 harvests in December and in June were done over 3 y (1980 to 1982). Optimum biomass for growth in large plantations could be 300 g.m^-2. At this planting density, treatment with ascorbic acid and kinetin increased growth rate and crop yield to get and annual yield biomass of 650 g.m^-2.