Effects of Temperature and Irradiance on Growth of Ulva prolifera (Chlorophyta)

가시파래(Ulva prolifera)의 생장에 미치는 온도 및 조도의 영향

The effects of temperature and irradiance on the growth of Ulva prolifera O.F. $M{\ddot{u}ller$ (Chlorophyta), which has been used commercially as food in Korea, were examined in laboratory culture to conserve the strain. Experiments were conducted under combined factors of temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 20 and $25^{\circ}C$ and irradiances of 30, 50, 80 and $100{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$. The maximum growth of the U. prolifera germlings was observed at $20^{\circ}C$ and $80{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$, and the minimum growth was recorded at $5^{\circ}C$ and $100{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$. Considering these results, the species appears to survive under wide ranges of temperature and irradiance, although growth is inhibited by high irradiances of over $100{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$. This appears to be due to the in situ habitat niche of Ulva prolifera, which is the middle to lower intertidal zone. In conclusion, optimal conditions for the long-term conservation of Ulva prolifera can be established under relatively low temperatures ($5^{\circ}C$) and high irradiance ($100{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$), while the optimal conditions for mass production are $20^{\circ}C$ and $80{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$.