Culture of <i>Enteromorpha flexuosa</i> (Wulf.) J.Ag.(Chlorophyceae) in outdoor pool

Abstract

A technique for a large scale outdoor culture of <i>E. flexuosa</i> in plastic pools (capacity of 7,000 1 and 7.07 m² surface area) was standardized and various parameters for maximum growth were studied. Maximum growth was obtained when (i) nylon threads were seeded with 10 ml swarmer suspension of 200 ppm turbidity (7 cm OD) diluted to 200 ml;(ii)plants were maintained floating near surface waters and up to depths of 10 to 15 cm; (iii) seawater enriched with NaNO₃ or NH₄NO₃ (7 mg N.I^-1) and Na₂HPO₄.2H₂O (1mg P.I^-1)and micronutrients; NaNO₃ was used during early growth stages while NH₄NO₃ was used later on; and (iv) temperature was maintained between 17 ᵒ and 32 ᵒ C and solar irradiance 1,100 <i>µ</i> Em^-2.s^-1. Under the above conditions, biomass obtained was 996 to 1,350 g (fresh) or 132.8 to 95.5 g (dry) m^-2 area; 283 to 382 g (fresh) or 35 to 26.7 g(dry) m^-1 length of nylon thread; and 4.4 to 5.15 g (fresh) 1 ^-1 or 0.54 to 0.36 g (dry) 1^-1 of seawater. Increase in fresh weight was 26.5 to 21.6% day^-1 within 33 to 38 days. The results indicate that the alga can be cultivated by this technique throughout the year.