Daniela M. Pampanin1, Lisia Gestinari2, Cyril Egar1, Pierre Liboureau1
1Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, University of Stavanger, P.O. box 8600, 4036 Stavanger, Norway
2Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability (NUPEM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida São José do Barreto, 764 – São José do Barreto, Macaé – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Seaweed cultivation is crucial in developing low-carbon alternatives to agriculture and support the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy based on marine natural resources. The red seaweed Palmaria palmata (dulse) occurs naturally throughout the northern Atlantic and is traditionally harvested and consumed as foodstuff. Market demands are increasing, and the supply is not readily available due to various factors, including naturally fluctuating quality products and seasonality. Facing an increase in demand, it is a prime candidate for the development of sustainable cultivation methods. Reproduction seasonality is an issue in securing year-round supplies. Our research aims to develop protocols for controlled reproduction and vegetative growth of seedlings in hatchery setting to maintain continuous cultivation cycles. The possibility that different strains in the different geographic areas might have different needs to secure a year-round available product was tested. The reproduction and growth of local phenotypic identity populations from Norway and Faroe Islands at different temperatures (5 and 10 °C) were followed for 6-8 weeks, using 3 growth media (VS, F/2 and seawater (as control)), light intensity of 20 ± 1µmol m-2 s-1 (8:16 hours light/darkness). Spore lengths were compared using image analysis and results indicate that the temperature of 5°C promoted the best growth of seedlings, both in VS and F/2 for the two populations. Both reproduction and vegetative growth of seedlings are promising approaches that can be implemented for year-round production of P. palmata in the North Atlantic.