Abstract
The future of large-scale kelp aquaculture is standing at a crossroad, with the diverging paths being characterized by two fundamentally different cultivation methods that differ on how well gametophyte reproduction can be controlled. The cultivation method that does not directly control gametophyte reproduction is more widely utilized at the moment, but interest in better controlling gametophyte reproduction is growing steadily. Here, we validate a bioreactor system that overcomes a number of implementation challenges for this controlled reproductive method, expanding the possibility of clonal gametophyte cultivation outside of expensive laboratory settings. The main goals of this system include (i) the maintenance of clean gametophyte clonal cultures in non-sterile environments over prolonged periods of time, (ii) the production of large numbers of juvenile sporophytes, and (iii) effective transportation of gametophytes and sporophytes. The “SeaCoRe system” consists out of three parts that correspond to these three challenges: (1) clone-reactors, (2) a clone-inducer, and (3) a transporter. The validation of the system showed that delayed Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta gametophytes can grow reliably for 75 days in the clone-reactors. Initial gametophyte densities of 0.4 mg DW and 0.6 mg DW gametophtyes mL−1 were optimal for S. latissima and A. esculenta, resulting in reproductive successes of 604 and 422 sporophytes mL−1, respectively. Lastly, gametophyte transport was simulated, with high reproductive success still achieved within 19 days in ~ 20 °C environments. The SeaCoRe system helps unlock the full potential of large-scale kelp cultivation using multiannual delayed clonal.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 517-527 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Phycology |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We would like to thank Hortimare B.V. for the usage of their wildtype and clonal cultures and for the work of Pieter Mulder and Jessica Schiller into the influence of light on F v /F m values of kelp gametophytes. We would also like to thank Matthias Schrama at Schrama-metaaltechniek for the construction of the bioreactor prototypes. The authors are also grateful for the help that the technical department of Royal NIOZ gave in the construction of the incubators. We furthermore want to thank Bas Oteman for his help in developing the SeaCoRe mobile app. Lastly, we would like to thank NWO for the Open-mind grant in 2017, making it possible for us to design, construct, and test the open source SeaCoRe system.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).
Funding
We would like to thank Hortimare B.V. for the usage of their wildtype and clonal cultures and for the work of Pieter Mulder and Jessica Schiller into the influence of light on F v /F m values of kelp gametophytes. We would also like to thank Matthias Schrama at Schrama-metaaltechniek for the construction of the bioreactor prototypes. The authors are also grateful for the help that the technical department of Royal NIOZ gave in the construction of the incubators. We furthermore want to thank Bas Oteman for his help in developing the SeaCoRe mobile app. Lastly, we would like to thank NWO for the Open-mind grant in 2017, making it possible for us to design, construct, and test the open source SeaCoRe system.
Keywords
- Bioreactors
- Clonal cultures
- Culture maintenance
- Delayed gametophytes
- Gametophyte propagation
- Gametophytes
- Kelp
- Kelp farming
- Reproduction