Paving the way for efficient seaweed cultivation

Image of Ecklonia radiata lifecycle/NIWA.

Seeding twine type affects hatchery and at-sea success, but has rarely been examined for any seaweed species. Seeding density can also influence hatchery outcomes, affecting zoospore settlement, gametophyte growth, and sporophyte formation. Although spore density effects for Ecklonia radiata have been studied in petri dishes, applied research directly on twine remains lacking.

To address these key knowledge gaps, we conducted experiments to identify the optimal seeding twine type, twine diameter, and spore seeding density for Ecklonia radiata.