We have been facing problem with preserving sufficient quantities of seaweed germplasm - about 1 tone fresh weight - for resuming commercial seaweed farming in subsequent season. The conditions on West coast of India are pretty rough during monsoon. May I request the researchers involved in seaweed farming to recommend simple and innovative solutions which we can develop for Indian conditions and could be quickly adopted by local fishermen?
One method is to simulate conditions for sporulation at the time you want the germlings. Culture the germlings so as to get better growth, which then can be used for the seed material.
A second way is to place some of the material in small quantities in pre selected calm waters, away from rough waves. For e.g.in the interior of Vembanad lake, wherein the conditions are pretty calm. Another e.g.is the place near "Mugger Mukh" in Chilka Lake, or a little bit interior as it suits the experiment.Here the rough weather is not a problem.
A third option is to place them in the first condensor of salt pans, wherein the salinity may go up by 4 to 8 ppt up from seawater salinity, with pretty calm conditions.
One way is to simulate conditions for sporulation, so timed, wherein the germlings can be got & further cultured to get the seed material to be sown soon after the monsoon is over.
A second way would be to culture in calm marine waters during the monsoon period, like the Vembanad & the Vazhapura waters as also in areas like "Mugger Mukh" or a bit interior in Chilka lake.
A third calm place is the First Condensor of salt pans which has some 4 to 8 ppt ( at the maximum) more than the marine water. Such areas are quite calm & protected from rough seas.
Dear Dr Mantri, I understand your need. For farmer friendly method of preserving seeds for the subsequent cropping season is maintaining the thallii in cages moored offshore strongly. This can tackle salinity fluctuations and the vagaries of rough sea.
Optimum nutrient level and salinity with oxygen supply can solve your problem
Although there are several issues in germplasm conservation. We do have only one impediment, the seaweed thalli being fragile, weather easily in whatever method we follow. I am looking for solution to have simple technique which reduces the breakage.
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