Aquacultural characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoclonium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">riparium</Emphasis> and an evaluation of its biomass growth potential

A study was made of environmental factors affecting the growth of Rhizoclonium riparium in order to evaluate its suitability for large-scale culturing. The results indicate that under the natural conditions prevailing at Taishi, Taiwan, this species can grow year-round, with a monthly biomass production (oven-dried) of 945–1540 kg ha⁻¹ pond surface (assuming a pond depth of 1 m). The specific growth rate ranged from –2.1 to 10.4% per day. Salinity and temperature, both influenced the rate significantly, with optimal values at 20% and 25 °C, respectively. Short (2-mm) lengths of filaments had a higher specific growth rate than longer (20 mm) filaments. Under rotational culturing conditions, the specific growth rate was reduced when flow was increased.