scholarly journals Effects of photoperiod and light spectra on growth and pigment composition of the green macroalga Codium tomentosum

Author(s):  
Rúben Marques ◽  
Sónia Cruz ◽  
Ricardo Calado ◽  
Ana Lillebø ◽  
Helena Abreu ◽  
...  

Abstract Codium tomentosum is a marine green macroalga with multiple value-added applications that is being successfully used as an extractive species in sustainable integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems. Nonetheless, growth conditions of this species at an early development phase still require optimization. The present study addresses, under controlled laboratory conditions, the effects of photoperiod (long vs. short-day) and light spectra (white, blue, and red light) on growth and pigment composition of C. tomentosum. Relative growth rate was approximately 2× higher under long-day photoperiod (average of 39.2 and 20.1% week−1 for long and short-day, respectively). Concentrations per dry weight of major pigments such as chlorophyll a (Chla) and siphonoxanthin (Siph) were significantly higher under long-day photoperiod. Relative growth rates were higher under red light, intermediate under white light, and lower under blue light. These last results were rather surprising, as Siph-Chla/Chlb light harvesting complexes of Codium have increased absorption in the blue-green region of the light spectra. Changes in carbon allocation patterns caused by the spectral composition of light and overgrowth of green microalgae in blue light cultures could explain the differences recorded for relative growth rate. Long-day photoperiod and light sources with preferential emission at the red region of the light spectra were identified as optimal for growth of C. tomentosum at early development stages. These lighting conditions can reduce the time required to reach the necessary biomass before transfer to grow-out systems. Overall, these findings can shorten production time, increase macroalgal productivity, and enhance aquaculture revenues.

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 428 ◽  
Author(s):  
DK Muldoon

Two cultivars of Echinochloa utilis, Ohwi et Yabuno, and one E.frumentacea (Roxb.) Link cultivar were grown in a glasshouse under three photoperiod regimes: naturally varying photoperiods (1 2-1 3 h), and fixed photoperiods of 14 and 16 h. Both species behaved as quantitative short-day plants although, in E. utilis, extending the photoperiod from 14 to 16 h delayed head emergence disproportionately. The delay in head emergence did not affect the relative growth rate, and longer photoperiods led to higher shoot weights; main tiller leaf number increased only slightly. The commencement of apical meristem elevation was delayed under longer photoperiods, a feature believed to be beneficial to regrowth. A time-of-sowing study in the field illustrated the effect of this short-day response upon crop development. Sixteen introduced E. utilis cultivars and 10 E. frumentacea cultivars also behaved as quantitative short-day plants. Within each species there were differences between cultivars in sensitivity to photoperiod. Some cultivars of E. utilis were very late and had abnormal head emergence at 16 h. Latitudinal effects on the performance of these cultivars are discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.B. Reich ◽  
J. Oleksyn ◽  
M.G. Tjoelker

Seedlings of 24 European Scots pine (Pinussylvestris L.) populations were grown in controlled environment chambers under simulated photoperiodic conditions of 50 and 60°N latitude to evaluate the effect of seed mass on germination and seedling growth characteristics. Seeds of each population were classified into 1-mg mass classes, and the four classes per population with the highest frequencies were used. Photoperiod had minimal influence on seed mass effects. Overall, seed mass was positively related to the number of cotyledons and hypocotyl height. Populations differed significantly in seed mass effect on biomass. In northern populations (55–61°N), dry mass at the end of the first growing season was little affected by seed mass. However, dry mass in 9 of 15 central populations (54–48°N) and all southern (<45°N) populations correlated positively with seed mass. Relative growth rate was not related to seed mass within or across populations, and thus early growth is largely determined by seed mass. Relative growth rate also did not differ among populations, except for a geographically isolated Turkish population with the highest seed mass and lowest relative growth rate. After one growing season, height was positively correlated (r2 > 0.6) with seed mass in 15 populations. To check the duration of seed mass effects, height growth of 1- to 7-year-old field experiments established with the same seed lots were compared. Seed mass effects on height were strongest for 1-year-old seedlings and declined or disappeared by the age of 5–7 years among central and southern populations, but remained stable over that time in northern populations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document