New Aspects in the Ecology and Culture of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma

Algae > Volume 9(2); 1994 > Article

Algae 1994;9(2): 205-216.

Gavino C. Trono, Jr.,R.G. Valdestamon

Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines System Quezon City 1101, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Eucheuma denticulatum (N.L. Burman) Collins et Hervey and Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty are the major species of carrageenophytes commercially farmed in the Philippines. These are utilized as raw materials in the processing manufacture of iota and kappa carrageenans, respectively. We report here the recent changes modifications in the traditions in the traditional fixed off-bottom monoline method of culture to the raft method, and changes in materials and construction of the raft culture system to adopt to the ecology of the site; the ecological problems associated with their culture such as seasonality in production, ice-ice malaise, grazing, whitening of branch tips, etc. and their solutions; the cropping management recommended to improve the overall production of the different strains and the success in the development of procedures in laboratory branch and micropropagule culture and the production of laboratory cultivars for mariculture.

Key words: ecology, culture, Kappaphycus, Eucheuma