Effects of Light, Desiccation and Salinity for the Spore Discharge of Gracilaria verrucosa (Rhodophyta) in Korea

The effects of light, desiccation and salinity on the discharge of spores in Korean agarophyte, Gracilaria verrucosa were studied. Among the examined factors, light after darkness was the most effective for spore discharge. The maximum release of tetraspores was induced at 24 h after the treatment. Desiccation also seems to be conductive to the release of tetraspores. However, its effect, as in treatment of distilled water for salinity, was hardly found in induction of carpospore discharge. This may suggest that spore discharge in this alga is primarily related with photoperiodic rhythm. Also it appears that the amount of light energy received by fertile thalli also significantly affects to the spore release, considering relationship between the amount of the discharged spores and the elapsed time after treatment.