Boron content of marine algae from the Mandaitivu and Kirinda coasts and mineral content of nine species of algae from the Kirinda coast

Abstract

r The boron content of eighteen species of marine algae collected from the Mandaitivu and Kirinda coasts is reported here. Boron is a micronutrient and is essential for plant growth. The feasibility of using algae such as Gracilaria crassa. Gracilaria edulis, Gracilaria corticata, Centroceros clavulatum and Sarcodia ceylanica which contain more than 200 ppm boron, as fertilizer t o meet the boron and other mineral requirement is discussed. The iodine, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride (ionic) and sulphur (total) contents of nine species ot marine algae from the Kirinda coast are reported and the values are compared with those of the algae from the northern coast. Gracilaria ferpsoni has the highest amount of iodine (3990 ppm) reported so far for marine algae from the Sri Lankan coasts.