Cultivation of Gigartina skottsbergii (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta): Recent advances and challenges for the future

This study integrates landings statistics and biological studies of the red alga Gigartina skottsbergii Setchell & Gardner. The analysis of the landin gs and carrageenan production in Chile suggests that this resource will suf fer a strong harvesting pressure during the next years. Biological results on sporulation, germination, sporeling growth and survivorship in laborator y, indoor tanks and field conditions, indicated that cultivation of this sp ecies is technically feasible, as spores can be seeded on ropes and other s ubstrata. Vegetative propagation of this species through tissue fragmentati on is also possible. Vegetative fragments of this carrageenophyte have 20 t o 30% higher growth rates than whole fronds in suspended culture systems. P rotoplast production can be also explored for bypassing restrictions in spo re availability. Major advantages that encourage the cultivation of G. skot tsbergii include its gel quantity and quality, its pathogen-free condition, a high reproduction potential and its regeneration capacity. On the other hand, the major constraints are related to its relatively slow growth as co mpared to other carrageenophytes, limited availability of spores and high m ortality during juvenile stages.