GENETIC VARIABILITY OF GELIDIUM CANARIENSIS (RHODOPHYTA) DETERMINED BY ISOZYME ELECTROPHORESIS1

The populations of Gelidium canariensis (Grunow) Seoane-Camba from the Canary Islands were analyzed for genetic variability by isozyme electrophoresis in 1989 and 1990. Each population was divided into sporophytic and gametophytic subpopulations. Twenty-three to 27 putative alleles corresponding to 22 gene loci were analyzed. Sev-enteen loci were monomorphic in all six subpopulations, and five were polymorphic in at least one subpopulation. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found. The amount of genetic variability (percentage of polymorphic loci, mean number of alleles per locus, and average gene diversity) of haploid subpopulations was lower than that of diploid subpopulations. No correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance was found. Low genetic differentiation between sporophytic and gametophytic subpopulations of the same locality was obsewed in two populations. The low genetic diversity and genetic differentiation suggest that the genetic structure of the populations of G. canariensis from the Canary Islands is due to a combination of founder effects and the predominance of asexual reproduction. Initial differences in gene frequencies may have persisted because of insufficient time to reach a higher level of differentiation.     

Actual,potential and speculative applications of seaweed cellular biotechnology: some specific comments on Gelidium

Cellular biotechnology is a promising application in the propagation and selection of superior strains of seaweeds. Although axenic cultures, organogenetic tissue cultures, vegetative micro-propagation, callus induction and high yields of agar from calli have been described for several species of Gelidium, a number of basic problems remain to be solved. These include standardized methods for obtaining axenic cultures, identification of requirements for organic nutrients, PGR's, cellular disorganization and reorganization, somaclonal variation and somatic incompatibilities. Future progress in seaweed biotechnology will depend on the resolution of many of these problems.     

Morphogenetic effect of glycerol on tissue cultures of the red seaweed Grateloupia doryphora

Explants of Grateloupia doryphora were cultivated in Provasoli Enriched Seawater culture medium (PES) supplemented with glycerol (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 or 0.8 mol 1^–1) or carbohydrates (0.1 or 0.3 mol 1^–1 mannose, glucose and galactose) and agar (3, 8, 15 g 1^–1 ). The osmolality of the medium was adjusted by dilution of the seawater (70 or 100%, v/v). The increase in fresh weight of explants cultivated in liquid medium with glycerol (0.3 mol 1^–1) and without glycerol was compared. All experiments were carried out in the light, except for one assay in which the explants were cultivated in the dark. Glycerol was an effective carbon source for the vegetative propagation of G. doryphora in solid and liquid media. Mannose, glucose and galactose all had no effect on growth or morphogenesis of the explants. In solid media the main effect of glycerol was as a morphogenetic inductor, with PES70 (70% seawater) + 0.1 or 0.3 mol 1^–1 glycerol + 3 or 8 g 1^–1 agar the best formulation. An increase in the concentration of agar in glycerol-containing medium reduced the morphogenetic capacity of the explants, which developed into compact cell masses. The effects of glycerol were observed only in explants cultivated under light.     

Subcellular immuno-localization, amino acid composition and partial amino acid sequences of α-l,4-glucan phosphorylase of Gracilaria spp (Rhodophyta)

Antibodies have been raised against an α-l,4-glucan phosphorylase (EC 2. 4. 1. 1) purified from the red alga Gracilaria chilensis. Localization of α-l,4-glucan phosphorylase in thin sections of G. chilensis and G. tenuistipitata was performed using immuno-gold labelling and transmission electron microscopy. The enzyme was localized in the cytosol and around the cytosolic starch granules of the algal cells. The labelling was not associated with the chloroplast or the cell wall. Amino acid composition of the red algal phosphorylase was quite similar to that of potato tuber and rabbit muscle phosphorylases. Partial amino acid sequences showed 48, 54 and 65% homology with the rabbit, potato and Escherichia coli enzymes, respectively.     

Analysis of the organogenetic potential of calli of three Canary Island Lycopersicon esculentum land races

The organogenetic potential from callus of three tomato land races from the Canary Islands adapted to semi-arid environment (Salvaje, Rusa and Especial), and one tomato cultivar (Meltine), were examined. The response of four explant types (cotyledon, shoot apex, hypocotyl and root) to nine PGR regimes (BAP at 1 or 2 or 5 mg/l) + either IAA (0.5 mg/l) or 2,4-D (0.5 or 1 mg/l) were measured. BAP at 5 mg/l+IAA at 0.5 mg/l induced most organogenesis in all the explant types for all genotypes. Salvaje has one of the highest organogenetic potentials described in tomato.Abbreviation OP = organogenetic potential     

The effects of the physical characteristics of the culture medium on the development of red seaweeds in tissue culture

Explants of Gelidium versicolor, Grateloupia doryphora and Laurencia sp. were cultivated in Provasoli enriched seawater culture medium (PES) adjusted to several osmolalities (0.5, 0.7, 1.0 and 1.5 Os kg^–1) and solidities (agar concentration = 3, 8 and 15 g L^–1). Osmolality was adjusted by dilution of seawater with distilled water (50, 70 and 100% seawater) and by NaCl addition. Explants of Laurencia sp. and Grateloupia doryphora showed bud regeneration and callus formation. Explants of Gelidium versicolor only showed bud regeneration. Osmolalities of 0.5 and 1.05 Os kg^–1. inhibited or drastically reduced bud regeneration and callus formation. The highest callus formation and bud regeneration were observed at 0.7 to 1.0 Os kg^–1. An increase in the agar concentration of the culture medium was positively correlated with callus formation and negatively correlated with bud regeneration. An increase in the percentage of seawater increased the solidity of the culture medium and was positively correlated with callus formation. Glycerol was an effective carbon source for the vegetative propagation of axenic explants of Grateloupia doryphora, promoting growth and bud regeneration. An increase in glycerol concentration in the culture medium increased its osmolality, inhibiting the growth of the explants and their morphogenetic development.