FAMILY: Phaeophyta
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NAME: Undaria pinnatifera - Wakame, Kelp |
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Data provided courtesy of Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - (Dr. Peter Perschbacher) |
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DISTRIBUTION:
Northern Japan HABITS: Cold water alga. Temperature range of 10-20oC is optimum for growth. Salinity tolerance range is narrow. Optimum salinity is 30-33 ppt.SPAWNING: Life history is rather complex involving the alternation of generations between sexual and asexual forms. The macroscopc plant is the asexual form which is also called as sporophyte. It will grow during winter month when the temperature ranges between 10 and 15oC. Gametophyte will develop sexual organs during summer months.GROWTH: Grow very rapidly in the optimum conditions. The sporophytes introduced in September will be ready for harvest by mid winter.USES: Used fresh as a vegetable, or used in salad. Preparation is simple, involving drying and chopping. It is a delicacy in Japan.CULTURE: Culture is done in Japan at any depth depending on the clarity of the water available. Since relatively high ranges of salinities and low temperatures are needed, open ocean is considered to be more optimum. The zoospores released from the sporophyte will be attached on to collecting string kept in tanks on the shore. These strings will be cut into pieces and placed in the ocean during the winter. The production is highly variable and shows an upwardtrend. REFERENCES: farming and husbandry of freshwater and marine organisms. John Wiley & Sons New York.
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