The effect of irradiance and temperature on the germination of four species of fucales

Abstract

Percentage germination has been assessed for zygotes of Pelvetia canaliculata, Fucus spiralis, F. vesiculosus and F. serratus, cultured under a variety of irradiance and temperature regimes. High levels of germination (>80%) were recorded over all irradiance and temperature combinations for all the species of Fucus. Zygotes of P. canaliculata showed little germination under dark conditions but germinated well (between 80 and 90%) under all other irradiance and temperature regimes. The results are discussed in relation to the development of the species and their positions on the shore. © 1981 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.