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Optimisation of kelp (Laminaria digitata) gametophyte growth and gametogenesis: effects of photoperiod and culture media

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Abstract

The kelp Laminaria digitata (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) is currently cultivated on a small-scale in several north Atlantic countries, with much potential for expansion. The initial stages of kelp cultivation follow one of two methods: either maximising (gametophyte method) or minimising (direct method) the vegetative growth phase prior to gametogenesis. The gametophyte method is of increasing interest because of its utility in strain selection programmes. In spite of this, there are no studies of L. digitata gametophyte growth and reproductive capacity under commercially relevant conditions. Vegetative growth measured by length and biomass, and rate of gametogenesis, was examined in a series of experiments. A two-way fixed-effects model was used to examine the effects of both photoperiod (8:12; 12:12; 16:8, 24:0 L:D) and commonly used/commercially available growth media (f/2; Algoflash; Provasoli Enriched Seawater) on the aforementioned parameters. All media resulted in good performance of gametophytes under conditions favouring vegetative growth, while f/2 clearly resulted in better gametophyte performance and a faster rate of gametogenesis under conditions stimulating transition to fertility. Particularly, the extent of sporophyte production (% of gametophytes that produced sporophytes) at the end of the experiment showed clear differences between treatments in favour of f/2: f/2 = 30%; Algoflash = 9%; Provasoli Enriched Seawater = 2%. The effect of photoperiod was ambiguous, with evidence to suggest that the benefit of continuous illumination is less than expected. Confirmation of photoperiodic effect is necessary, using biomass as a measure of productivity and taking greater account of effects of genotypic variability.

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Acknowledgements

This study was jointly funded by (1) SuperGen Biomass Biofuels and Energy Crops II under EPSRC grant EP/039995 through Leeds University and (2) The Seaweed Hatchery Project (PBA/SW/07/001 (01), carried out under the Sea Change Strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research Sub-programme of the National Development Plan, 2007–2013.

The authors would also like to acknowledge the help given by Colm Moriarty for the technical assistance in setting up the culture chambers and Jazmin Hernandez-Kantun and Jyotsna Mishra for their help with sample preparation and analysis.

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Author notes

  1. J. J. Ratcliff & A. Soler-Vila

    Present address: Irish Seaweed Consultancy Ltd., Ryan Institute (Annexe), NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland

  2. D. Hanniffy

    Present address: Ocean Harvest Technology, Milltown, Co, Galway, Ireland

  3. M. D. Edwards

    Present address: Zoology Department, Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Irish Seaweed Research Group, Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland

    J. J. Ratcliff, A. Soler-Vila, D. Hanniffy & M. D. Edwards

  2. Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland

    M. P. Johnson

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  1. J. J. Ratcliff
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  3. D. Hanniffy
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Correspondence to J. J. Ratcliff.

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Ratcliff, J.J., Soler-Vila, A., Hanniffy, D. et al. Optimisation of kelp (Laminaria digitata) gametophyte growth and gametogenesis: effects of photoperiod and culture media. J Appl Phycol 29, 1957–1966 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-017-1070-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-017-1070-1

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