Effect of Culture Combination on Growth and Carrageenan Content of Kappaphycus alvarezii Green and Red Variety

Abstract

Indonesia as second of the biggest Kappaphycus alvarezii producer in the world, which were cultured using a different variety called green and red variety of K. alvarezii. The aims of this study is to determine the effect of culture combination method on growth and yield of carrageenan extracted a red and green variety of K. alvarezii, which were used the randomized block design was conducted in. The result demonstrated among red and green did not show significantly (p>0.05) in growth at two weeks of culture periods. However, beyond 3-5 weeks of culture periods, K. alvarezii green variety showed significantly different (p<0.05), which mix culture method showed better growth than the red variety. Interestingly, K. alvarezii green variety demonstrated higher carrageenan content when mixed with red variety in one raft during the culture period, which was presented correlation with growth parameter. Furthermore, combination culture method could be suggested for seaweed farmers that face problems in occupying mono variety K. alvarezii seed during seaweed culture.