Effect of the Presence of Seagrass and Nutrients on Growth Rates of Farmed Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheuma denticulatum (Rhodophyta)

Abstract

The effects of seagrass cover and nutrients on seaweed cultivation were examined in tidal pools in Tanzania. The seaweeds Eucheuma denticulatum and Kappaphycus alvarezii were cultivated from August 2006 - August 2007 in pools with and without seagrasses, and with and without added nutrients. Growth rates of fertilised E. denticulatum were significantly lower in the presence of seagrasses (P <0.05) but there were no significant differences (P >0.05) in the rest of the treatments. Monthly growth was lowest during the hotter months (December-February) and heavy rains (March-May), and highest during the cooler months (June-August).