Temperature and Light Responses in Growth of Gracilaria verrucosa (Rhodophyta) and Its Potential for Mariculture in Korea

Apical and subapical fragments of Gracilaria verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss (Rhodophyta) were cultured on a temperature-light gradient table with four temperature $(15,\;20,\;25\;and\;30^{\circ}C)$ and five light intensity $(20,\;40,\;60,\;80\; and\;100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-l})$ regimes to examine growth responses. Their growth was measured weekly. Plant weight and lateral branch formation were affected by temperature and light intensity. As compared with other reports, relative growth rate (RGR) in both fragments was more or less high with 6.27 to $11.95\%$ $day^{-1}$. It was lowest at $15^{\circ}C$ with $20\mu mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-l}$, whereas, the highest value was recorded at $25^{\circ}C$ with $100\mu mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-l}$ During the experimental period, the growth pattern in G. verrucosa was significantly different between apical and subapical fragments, even though RGR based on weight was similar. Growth in apical fragments depended on elongation by apical growth. By contrast, subapical fragments mainly increased their weights by proliferation of lateral branch. This suggests that intercalary activity (e.g. lateral branch formation) is also an important means for growth of the thallus in Korean G. verrucosa. In conclusion, the relatively high growth potential with the intercalary activity in G. verrucosa will be helpful for mariculture in Korea.