CULTURE OF MARINE RED ALGA KAPPAPHYCUS-STRIATUM (SCHMITZ) DOTY ON THESAURASHTRA REGION, WEST-COAST OF INDIA

Apical fragments 1, 2 and 3 cm long of K. striatum were ideal as start ing seed material for culture; in laboratory, outdoor and field condit ions, respectively. Vertically excised fragments through medullary tis sue yielded maximum vegetative seed material and biomass. Initial wet weight versus culture volume ratio (g:l) for maximum growth, was 1:6.2 5. Comparatively high growth of the alga in outdoor culture was observ ed when it was planted in February and June at 23 degrees to 30 degree s C temperature, and in enriched seawater which was renewed at 15 days intervals. Continuous exposure to low temperature between 13 degrees and 23 degrees C and above 30 degrees C adversely affected the growth of the alga. Nearly, 360 g wet wt. m(-2) area representing 1.4 g.l(-1) biomass was produced in bench scale outdoor cultures in tank. Maximum growth of the alga in the tide pools of the sea was recorded at 0.1 m below the surface of the pool water, where it was covered by a water column of 0.1 m to 0.25 m during lowest low water of spring tides and 2.5 m to 3.9 m (3.4 +/- 0.4 m) during highest,high water of neap to sp ring tides. The alga produced maximum biomass of 4217% over initial wi th growth rate 2.5% to 7.17% d(-1) during December to March. Coral sto nes were better substratum for firm attachment of this alga. During Ma rch, 21% of the liberated carpospores and 51.5% of the liberated tetra spores germinated. The tetraspore germination was like that of Gelidiu m.