Culture of Gigartina Skottsbergii (Rhodophyta) in Southern Chile. A Pilot Scale Approach

Abstract

In the last 10 years studies on the management and exploitation of Chilean carrageenophytes have proliferated in response to the increasing development of the local processing industry. One of the most important sources of raw material for Chilean carrageenan, Gigartina skottsbergii Setchell et Gardner, was the subject of an intensive study to design a commercial cultivation technique which could be an alternative to wild harvest. In this context this pilot study reports the first successful attempt to culture G. skottsbergii from spores to harvestable plants. A three-step farming approach was developed: (i) seeding of spores onto scallop shells followed by a two-month nursery period in a greenhouse (until the development of initial upright thalli from the discoid crust occurred), (ii) outplanting juvenile plants on shells in the sea on a long-line system (until thalli attained 3-4 cm diameter) and (iii) detachment of fronds from the shells, fixing of individuals to vertical ropes and growth until commercial size was reached. Additional experiments to compare bottom and suspended growth, cultivation by fragmentation and whole fronds and meristematic activity of different zones of the fronds were performed. This study shows the technical feasibility of culturing G. skottsbergii from spores, complemented with growth of vegetative fragments, in order to optimize the management of the culture. In the future, therefore, it may be possible to replace the heavy exploitation of wild beds in southern Chile with farming activities.

Attachment and growth of vegetative propagules of Chondria crassicaulis Harvey (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) under various culture conditions

“…The advantages of high survival and fast growth of vegetative propagules can be extended to the commercial cultivation of C. crassicaulis . In the cultivation of red algae, seedlings derived from spores showed very low attachment and survival, slow growth, and heavy contamination by epiphytes (Ávila, Ask, Rudolph, Nuñez, & Norambuena, ; Ávila, Candia, Romo, Pavez, & Torrijos, ; Romo, Alveal, & Werlinger, ; Romo et al, ). In contrast, the use of larger vegetative propagules yielded large amounts of high‐quality seedlings, at a reduced cost of care.…”

Development of seaweed cultivation in Latin America: current trends and future prospects

“…Despite improvements in cultivation techniques (Ávila et al 2011;Bulboa et al 2010;Correa et al 1999;Fonck et al 2008), there are challenges to be resolved before commercial cultivation is realised. These include high mortality, poor sporeling attachment, heavy epiphytism and slow growth (Bulboa et al 2007;Romo et al 2001Romo et al , 2006. Effort has concentrated on strategies for vegetative propagation.…”

Co-culture in marine farms: macroalgae can act as chemical refuge for shell-forming molluscs under an ocean acidification scenario

“…For instance, during early growth of Gigartina skottsbergii Setchell & N.L. Gardner optimal depths are between 4 and 6 m (Romo et al 2006); Sarcothalia crispata (Bory) Leister had higher growth rates at 12-13 m (Westermeier et al 2012); and Chondracanthus chamisoii (C.Agardh) Kützing can be found growing naturally at depths up to 15 m on the central coast of Chile (Hoffmann & Santelices 1997). Overall, these outcomes suggest that culturing red macroalgae below 4-m depth along with filter-feeder sleeves may provide a successful strategy.…”