BRANCH, MICROPROPAGULE AND TISSUE-CULTURE OF THE RED ALGAE EUCHEUMA-DENTICULATUM AND KAPPAPHYCUS-ALVAREZII FARMED IN THE PHILIPPINES

Three forms of the iota-producing carrageenophyte, Eucheuma denticulatum, and four forms of the kappa-producing carrageenophyte, Kappaphycus alvarezii, obtained from seaweed farms in the Philippines have been grown in the laboratory under unialgal and axenic conditions. Comparison of media indicates that seed stocks of both species can be cultured using enriched seawater media ranging from ESS and SWMD-1 to inexpensive soil extract (Erdshreiber's) or holding in sterile seawater for up to three weeks. Micropropagation has been successful with at least two forms of each species resulting in clonal propagation from axenic explants within 4 to 8 weeks. Callus development and branch regeneration has also been induced in two forms of each species. The results indicate that culture facilities in the farming areas of the Philippines could maintain high-yielding and rapidly growing seed stock for the seaweed farmers.