Practical 5: Propagation of Seaweed in Culture Media

Introduction
Seaweed are know to reproduce through fragmentation where if some parts of its thallus are torn or broken apart, they are able to regenerate and grow a new thallus. This is process is also carried out symbiotic with bacteria that supplies nutrients such as nitrogen to the seaweed. This study is to observe the species of bacteria that assist in fragmentation.

Objective
To determine which bacteria is best for the culturing the seaweed

To learn ways to propagate the seaweed

Material and Methods

Picture 1:Cut 1 cm of the seaweed

Picture 2: Rinsed the seaweed by using filtered sea water and shaken vigorously to sterilized the seaweed

Picture 3: Record the wet weight of seaweed

Picture 4: Inserted the culture media Von Stosch's Enrichment (VSE) and Provasoli Enrichment Seawater (PES)

Picture 5: Inserted the bacteria ( 4 types of bacteria)

Picture 6:Insertion of bacteria to algae sample.

Picture 7: Sealed the side of the container using parafilm

After that, incubate the seaweed for a photoperiod of 12 hr light and 12 hr dark with aeration

Results

Picture 8: First day of propagation

Picture 9: One week after the propagation

Picture 10: Few week after the propagation the buds begin to emerge

Discussion
The first week does not shows much growth or we can say probably no growth as there no new shoots growing out, however, the result can be seen after a few weeks as the shoot grow as long as 1 cm as shown in BAC3 which shows positive budding as the algae is associated with BAC3.