Abstract
Through experimental manipulation of stock loading and planting distances in rope culture, this study evaluates the hypothesis that optimum density for growth and production ofGracilaria chilensis vary within a bed. Small packages ofGracilaria disposed at short distances exhibit higher growth and production rates in the landward ends of ropes than larger packages of seaweed disposed at longer distances. In these experiments, the landward end of ropes faces estuarine conditions, with reduced salinities and increased sediment loads during low tides. The interacting effects of stocks loading and position in the rope can affect growth and production rates so much as to nullify the 3.5-fold summer increments in production that occur in these estuarine beds of southern Chile. It is concluded that through manipulation of planting distances and stock loading, the production of this species could be increased up to 35% in some areas.
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Santelices, B., Westermeier, R. & Bobadilla, M. Effects of stock loading and planting distance on the growth and production ofGracilaria chilensis in rope culture. J Appl Phycol 5, 517–524 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182510
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182510