EFFECTS OF STOCK LOADING AND PLANTING DISTANCE ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF GRACILARIA-CHILENSIS IN ROPE CULTURE

Through experimental manipulation of stock loading and planting distan ces in rope culture, this study evaluates the hypothesis that optimum density for growth and production of Gracilaria chilensis vary within a bed. Small packages of Gracilaria disposed at short distances exhibi t higher growth and production rates in the landward ends of ropes tha n larger packages of seaweed disposed at longer distances. In these ex periments, the landward end of ropes faces estuarine conditions, with reduced salinities and increased sediment loads during low tides. The interacting effects of stocks loading and position in the rope can aff ect growth and production rates so much as to nullify the 3.5-fold sum mer increments in production that occur in these estuarine beds of sou thern Chile. It is concluded that through manipulation of planting dis tances and stock loading, the production of this species could be incr eased up to 35% in some areas.