Effect of water movement on the growth of Gelidium robustum (Gardn.) Hollenb. and Abb. (Rhodophyta)

Abstract

The growth of Gelidium robustum (Gardn.) Hollenb. and Abb. was measured in situ and in cultivation tanks under different current and agitation velocities. The hypothesis that growth of G. robustum increases from the effect of water movement over the plant was tested. It was demonstrated in situ that zones with greater water movement (> 1.4 m s–1) stimulated the growth of G. robustum (> 1.0% day–1, wet weight). Growth was directly proportional to water movement under semicontrolled cultivation conditions. The treatment with the greatest dynamics demonstrated a growth of 3.6% day–1. The maximum growth reported in this study for G. robustum is greater than the previously registered maximum for this species (2.3 versus 3.6% day–1, wet weight).

Keywords

• Rhodophyta
• agarophyte
• Gelidium robustum
• movement
• growth