A STUDY ON Gracilaria Sp. GROWTH RATE CULTURED IN BRACKISHWATER ENVIRONMENT

Abu Bakar Tumina*, Mohd Lazim Mohd Saifa, Rosmaria Abu Darima, Amatul Samahah Md Alia and Saberi Mawia

aBrackishwater Aquaculture Research Division, Fisheries Research Institute, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johore, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author's Email: abubakar@yahoo.com , abubakar@dof.gov.my

A study was carried out to identify the growth rate of seaweed, Gracilaria sp. cultured in brackishwater environment. The information regarding the seaweed's growth is essential before further study related to Gracilaria sp. is to be conducted in such environment which records the salinity down to 10ppt especially during rainy season. The seaweeds were obtained from nearby brackishwater canal. The culture were done in ten floating baskets, in which cuttings of Gracilaria sp. with an initial weight of 49.9+2.8g were placed in each basket. The samples were submerged 40cm from water surface. Sampling for wet weight was done weekly and the experiment was terminated on week sixteen. Throughout the experiment, the lowest growth rate of Gracilaria was observed at 4.2+1.2g/day (week 8) and the highest growth rate was observed at 5.9+1.3g/day (week 6). Meanwhile, the final weight recorded was 612.6+141.3g.

Keywords: Gracilaria sp., brackishwater, growth, culture