Effect of different fertilizers on the growth of Gracilaria edulis (Gmelin) silva in onshore cultivation

Abstract

Culture of agar yielding red alga Gracilaria edulis was canied out using fiberglass tanks in onshore condition under a shed with transparent roof and providing running seawater system and aeration. The seed material was pretreated for 12 hours at different concentrations of Urea, NPK, Superphosphate, Di-ammonium phosphate, Ammonium sulphate, Organic fertilizer, Organic mixture, Potash, Ammonium Chloride, Calcium nitrate, Magnesium sulphate and Ferrous sulphate. In general, the growth and biomass of cultured seaweed were found to be more in plants treated with low concentrations of these fertilizers than untreated and plants treated with higher concentrations. Data on the environmental and hydrological parameters from seaweed culture tanks were recorded.