Environmental factors influencing the growth of Gracilaria edulis in culture

The present investigation indicates that G. edulis can be successfully cultivated on commercial scale in the nearshore areas of Gulf of Mannar during the five months period from November to March when the sea is calm. The shallow waters near CMFRI fish farm in Palk Bay are not suitable for G. edulis cultivation as the growth of the plant was affected by various environmental factors mentioned above. The culture experiments of G. edulis conducted earlier by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in 3 - 4 m depth area at Palk Bay near CMFRI fish farm showed good growth of plants as there was less sedimentation, fouling organisms and predators. Hence G. edulis could be cultivated in deep waters in Palk Bay side and attempts may also be made to culture G. edulis in shallow waters at other areas of Palk Bay in order to select the suitable culture sites and period of good growth.