Biology of the Economically Important Indian Seaweed - A Review

Studies on the biological aspects of economically important Indian seaweeds are reviewed in this paper. These include the taxonomy and ecological studies at different localities along the Indian coast. The growth pattern, periods of maximum growth, fruiting seasons for plants such as Cystoseira indica, Sargassum, Turbinaria, Gracilaria verrucosa and Gelidiella acerosa have been studied.

Commercial harvesting is suggested during peak growth periods to obtain larger quantity of raw materials and better yield of finished products. Spore shedding and the period of maximum sporulation which vary from one seaweed to another has been studied by estimation of spore output and observations on the liberation of spores. Information is available on the germination of spores, survival rate of germlings, culture of germlings and life history studies.