Growth Evaluation of the Seaweed Kappaphycus striatus F. Schmitz (Solieriaceae: Rhodophyta) with Mass Selection Method

The suboptimal quality of seeds is identified as a contributing factor to the limited productivity observed in seaweed cultivation. A study was conducted to generate enhanced seaweed seeds through the utilization of the mass selection technique, as it offers a more straightforward and more accessible approach. From September 2022 to January 2023, the mass selection method was employed for seaweed cultivation in the aquatic environment of Tablolong Village, located in the region of East Nusa Tenggara. The growth and production of seaweed in each successive generation (G) exhibited superior performance when compared to both internal and external control groups. The observed daily growth rate of the chosen seaweed exhibited a consistent upward trend across successive generations, denoted as differences in treatment G1, G2, and G3. Specifically, the growth rates for these generations were recorded as 2.95±0.28, 3.55±0.29, and 5.58±0.25%/day, respectively. The absolute growth rates in G1, G2, and G3 were recorded as 2.60, 3.76, and 7.85g/ day, respectively. In the meantime, the production quantities per unit at G1, G2, and G3 were recorded as 3.89, 5.64, and 11.78kg/ unit, respectively.