Factors affecting spore germination in algae — review

Abstract

This review surveys whatever little is known on the influence of different environmental factors like light, temperature, nutrients, chemicals (such as plant hormones, vitamins, etc.), pH of the medium, biotic factors (such as algal extracellular substances, algal concentration, bacterial extracellular products, animal grazing and animal extracellular products), water movement, water stress, antibiotics, UV light, X-rays, gamma-rays, and pollution on the spore germination in algae. The work done on the dormancy of algal spores and on the role of vegetative cells in tolerating environmental stress is also incorporated.

The influence of glucose and peat extract additions on the spring recruitment of Gonyostomum semen from the sediments

“…The same phenomenon was observed during a whole-lake experiment with sucrose addition (Blomqvist et al, 2001). What is more, previous research has realized that some bacteria may produce a variety of compounds, including toxic proteins, polyanionic polymers, substituted alkaloids, and cyclic peptides, which showed inhibitory activity on some algal spores germination (review in: Agrawal, 2009). …”

“…The influence of phosphorus on germination success is explained by the ability of cysts to uptake nutrients, as it was suggested by Rengefors et al (1996) in regard to dinoflagellate Scrippsiella trochoidea. According to Agrawal (2009), the lack of phosphorus, which decreases spore or cyst germination in algae, indicates the synthesis of fresh nucleic acids during this process. Nevertheless, there are also reports revealing the lack of the effect of nutrients (including phosphorus) on the algal cyst germination (Sako et al, 1985;Binder & Anderson, 1987;Cannon, 1993).…”

“…It is supposed that the benthic cyst formation in planktonic algae is an adaptation strategy enabling survival during unfavorable periods (Fryxell, 1983;Hansson, 2000), and the spring or summer encystment plays a crucial role in the bloom initiation or the seasonal succession (Anderson & Wall, 1978;Anderson & Rengefors, 2006). Although there are many studies about the factors which regulate algal cyst germination (Agrawal, 2009), the knowledge about Gonyostomum semen recruitment from sediments is poor. Yet, there is evidence that the cyst germination of this species is affected by temperature (Figueroa & Rengefors, 2006;Rengefors et al, 2012), phosphorus addition (Findlay et al, 2005), and the presence of Cladocera in the water column (Hansson, 1996).…”

Community structure and controlled factor of attached green algae on the Porphyra yezoensis aquaculture rafts in the Subei Shoal, China

“…Temperature has significant effects on the growth rate of green macroalgae (Agrawal, 2009). Taylor et al (2001) showed that temperature was the important controlling factor of the growth rate of the eight types of green macroalgae that caused the green tide.…”

Nearshore Pelagic Microbial Community Abundance Affects Recruitment Success of Giant Kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera

“…The development of Macrocystis pyrifera microscopic zoospores and gametophytes are susceptible to abiotic and biotic conditions in the water column, where propagule release and transit to the recruitment location occur (Deysher and Dean, 1986; Reed et al, 1992; Agrawal, 2009). Kelp zoospore settlement and germination success is impeded under exposure to abiotic environmental extremes, including elevated organic and inorganic nutrient concentrations (Amsler and Neushul, 1989), high salinity levels (Buschmann et al, 2004), increased water temperature, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation (Reed et al, 1992; Graham, 1996; Cie and Edwards, 2008).…”