Pilot scale field cultivation of the agarophyte Gracilaria edulis (Gmelin) Silva at Vadakadu (Rameswaram)

Pilot scale field cultivation of the agar yielding red alga Gracilaria edulis was carried out at Vadakadu near Rameswaram from July, 2001 to July, 2002 involving the local fisher folk. The growth of plants during July, 2001 to January, 2002 was good and they reached harvestable size of 19.6 to 28.9 cm (mean length) after 60 to 80 days growth and harvests were made. The seed material introduced during March to July, 2002 degenerated due to turbid seawater, sedimentation and high seawater temperature. Data collected on environmental and hydrological parameters from the culture site at fortnightly intervals were correlated with the growth of cultured seaweed. The results obtained in this experiment revealed that commercial scale cultivation of G. edulis could be done successfully in the nearshore area of Vadakadu during the period July to January.