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Seasonal growth in Laminaria longicuris: Relations with reserve carbohydrate storage and production

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Abstract

Growth rates of Laminaria longicruris increase during January and February, and the role of carbohydrate reserves as a carbon source for this growth was investigated. Seasonal variations in the levels of laminaran and mannitol showed maximum values for both in late summer. Minimum values occurred in February at the time when growth rates were increasing rapidly. Erosion of the blades in winter carried away much of the tissue containing carbohydrate reserves accumulated during the previous summer. Experimental reduction of carbohydrate reserves by fertilization with sodium nitrate during the summer did not affect subsequent winter growth rates. Truncation of the plants in November significantly reduced growth rates. The lower rate of growth is attributed to a reduction in photosynthetic area rather than a loss of storage products.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    A. R. O. Chapman

  2. Atlantic Regional Laboratory, National Research Council of Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    J. S. Craigie

Authors
  1. A. R. O. Chapman
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  2. J. S. Craigie
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Communicated by T. Platt, Dartmouth

NRCC No. 16478

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Chapman, A.R.O., Craigie, J.S. Seasonal growth in Laminaria longicuris: Relations with reserve carbohydrate storage and production. Mar. Biol. 46, 209–213 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390682

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390682

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