Vegetative propagation by fragmentation of Gelidium sclerophyllum (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

Results of the first phase of production of "seed" for a project of marine culture of species of Gelidiales are presented. Vegetative fragments of different sizes and from different parts of the thallus of Gelidium sclerophyllum from the Mexican tropical Pacific coast were cultured under nine treatments with different N and P concentrations. In treatments without N all fragments died; good vegetative growth was present in all remaining treatments. Growth in length and branch production were favored in medial fragments, and rhizoid production was favored in apices. Growth in length and biomass increase were stimulated by high N concentrations (2–3 mM), and branch and rhizoid production were stimulated by high P concentrations (100–150 µM).