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Abstract: The reattachment and vegetative growth of tetrasporophytic and cystocarpic fronds of Chondracanthus chamissoi by means of secondary attachment discs was evaluated in vitro. Our results show that both the reattachment of fronds and sprouting of new shoots from secondary attachment discs, occurred in both life cycle phases. We did not observe statistical differences between cystocarpic and tetrasporophytic fronds, which have a similar ability to reattach and produce new shoots. Reattachment was observed after 5d and reached 54±9% (mean±S.D.). The new shoots started sprouting 20d after reattachment, with a growth rate of 5±1%d−1 (mean±DS). Our results show that the formation of secondary attachment discs is not only an effective form of reattachment for drifting fronds but also an important strategy to generate new individuals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chondracanthus chamissoi is an important source of carrageenan in Chile. Presently, all the production is harvested from wild populations. This study reports the first attempt to cultivate C. chamissoi. Experiments were conducted with female gametophytic and sporophytic thalli by inserting them among braids of a 7 mm polypropylene rope. Inoculated ropes were placed at 1, 3 and 5 m depths in two sheltered bays in northern Chile. The fronds adapted well to cultivation and grew at all the depths tested, although the greatest increase in biomass was observed at 1 m depth. On a yearly cycle, higher biomass increases were observed in autumn and winter months compared with the spring and summer. We believe that by adapting the cultivation methodology, this species could be cultivated year round. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]