Physiological responses and productivity of the seaweed Ulva ohnoi (Chlorophyta) under changing cultivation conditions in pilot large land-based ponds

Land based intensive cultivation systems have been proposed as an ideal option for the commercial production of high value products from seaweeds. However, many cultures on Ulva and other seaweeds are relatively small-scale facilities. The variability culture conditions can strongly affect physiological performance seaweeds, but few studies examine their phenotypic plasticity by integrating critical biological descriptors, e.g. photobiology, oxidative stress, nutrient acquisition. purpose this study was to determine growth ohnoi during its in land-based 40 m3 ponds. Through entire cycle (four-weeks), photosynthesis, respiration, pigments, antioxidant capacity content were measured. Light, temperature, pH, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) simultaneously monitored seawater. Additionally, N-uptake kinetics U. examined laboratory order explain efficiency seaweed biomass DIN-incorporation ponds after fertilization. Generally, gradual increase density throughout period directly associated a drop light availability carbon (i.e. higher pH) within These changes related reduction photosynthetic capacities, ohnoi. behavior DIN fertilization, indicated that able incorporate ammonium more efficiently than nitrate, presence former likely inhibits nitrate understanding acclimate extreme changing conditions, could be applied improve productivity chemical composition.