Effects of three kinds of fertilizer on the growth of green caviar (Caulerpa lentillifera). In：L.M. Chou et al. (ed.)

Abstract

Green caviar (Caulerpa lentillifera) weighing 0.66-2.29 g, was grown in 1 L beaker filled with 500 ml filtered seawater using three kinds of commercial inorganic fertilizers, namely, urea, ammonium sulphate and superphosphate, which are commonly used for agriculture in Taiwan. Water temperature range was 20-25°C; salinity, 30-33 ppt; and pH, 6.70-8.92. When single fertilizer was used, the optimal dosage. of urea, ammonium sulphate and superphosphate was 0.3 g/L, 0.01 g/L, and 0.06 g/L with biomass growth rate of 87.30%, 85.11%, and 72.48%, respectively. These values were much higher than the control value of 21.10%. New stalks grew faster with urea treatment, but new thalli grew better with superphosphate treatment. When mixed fertilizers were used, optimal combination of urea, ammonium sulphate and superphos- phate was 0.20 g/L, 0.0068 g/L, and 0.04 g/L with biomass growth rate of 100.59% compared with 59.24% of the control. More new stalks and new thalli were found in those grown in mixed fertilizers treatment than in single fertilizer.