Contrasting effects of blue and red LED irradiations on the growth of Sargassum horneri during the germling and immature stages

Abstract

The brown seaweed Sargassum horneri (Sargassaceae) is important for marine environment conservation. It could be used for a food material, medical applications, and future biofuel production. We compared the growth of S. horneri cultures under single wavelength blue and red light during the germling and immature stages. The growth rate based on the thallus area of S. horneri during the germling stage was faster under blue LED light than under red LED light. Furthermore, based on the wet weight of S. horneri, during the immature stage, blue LED light resulted in a faster growth rate than red LED light. Moreover, during the immature stage, compared with red LED light, blue LED light tended to increase the content of photosynthetic pigments. We conclude that use of blue LED light in indoor tanks during the germling and immature stages will improve the efficiency of S. horneri culture.