Cultivation of early life history stages of Porphyra dioica from the British Isles

• DOI: 10.1007/s10811-019-01930-6
• Publication Date: 2019-12-04T10:02:47Z
• Authors: J. Knoop; J. N. Griffin; S. Barrento
• Keywords: Sporophyte; Porphyra; Light intensity

Abstract Bladed Bangiales of the genus Porphyra/Pyropia are highly valuable red algae and extensively farmed in South East Asia. Interest is rising cultivating species local to North Atlantic but control heteromorphic life cycle native remains difficult as previous studies reported high inter- intraspecific variability required cultivation conditions. Here, working with Porphyra dioica from a UK source population, we conducted series experiments investigating influence substrate, temperature, photoperiod light intensity on development early history stages (conchocelis (filamentous sporophyte) young thalli (gametophyte)). Special focus was temperature mature conchocelis induce conchospore mass release—the current bottleneck European cultivation. Sporophytes grew largest an oyster shell substrate under long day conditions at 18 °C. A decrease 9 °C initiated release (498 ± 146 spores mL −1 ) P. culture grown suspension. Released conchospores germinated into small nylon ropes, best growth (7.2 0.9% low temperatures Conchospore germination increased decreasing success generally very (< 5%), indicating protocol needs further improvement. Our results reflect adaptation diocia seasonal environmental temperate regions importance these for successful We first describe growing suspension which has important implications commercial production.