Effect of light intensity, photoperiod, ESP medium and nitrogen sources on growth of marine brown alga <i style="">Padina boergesenii </i>(Dictyotales, Phaeophyta)

Abstract

Experiments were conducted on germlings of <i style="">Padina boergesenii</i> to understand the effects of different light intensity, photoperiod, strength of ESP medium and nitrogen sources on its growth in terms of increase in fresh wt. and thallus area. Maximum increase (fr.wt. and area) over initial was observed in germlings cultured under 76 µE/m²/s light intensity, 14:10 L:D cycle photoperiod, quarter strength of ESP media and 16 and 33 mg N/liter as sodium nitrate. From the present study it is very clear that high light intensity, long day condition that generally exist during most of the months along the southeast coast of India are favourable for cultivation of this alga. In addition, ¼ concentration of ESP medium and nitrate nitrogen (NaNO₃) with higher concentration (16 and 33 mg N/l) are favourable for growth of <i style="">Padina boergesenii</i> in the laboratory.