Seed production and cultivation of Grateloupia turuturu (Cryptonemiales, Rhodophyta) by callus culture

Application of tissue culture techniques to seed production and cultivation of the red alga GratelouPia turaturu Yamada was examined. Callus masses excised from explants of G. turuturu exhibited an undifferentied growth on solid ASP12NTA (1.29o agar) medium supplemented with O.1 mglL of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 6benzylaminopurine (BAP). Growth of the callus was maintained for over five years by subculture every 2-3 months. The callus cells were able to attach to twines of Nori-net and oyster shell, foilowing which they developed into crusts in PES tiquid medium. The seeds were observed from upright development of the crusts. The young thali grew to 3-5 mm in length after 6-8 weeks in room culture. For cultivation in sea, the Nori-nets were suspended from expetmenta1 rafts at Nagasaki and Kochi coast. The thalli grew most rapidly from January to Apnl. After five months growth, the thalli attained a length of approxirnately which is sirnilar to naturally growing thaM.