DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2014.v02i11.010

Pages: 793-801

Studies on the tetraspores shedding were made for a period of one and half year from August 1993 to January 1995 in Padina tetrastromatica growing along the Visakhapatnam coast. Experiments were conducted on the effect of environmental factors such as exposure to air (desiccation), Salinity, light intensity, photoperiod and wavelength on tetraspores shedding and diurnal periodicity was studied under laboratory conditions. The spore shedding in this brown alga with peak shedding of tetraspores in submerged conditions of fronds, 35%o salinity, 1000 lux light intensity, white light and 24h light (at low light intensity of 1000 Lux) were found to be optimum conditions for peak shedding of tetraspores in Padina tetrastromatica growing along the intertidal region of Visakhapatnam Coast. Environmental parameters such as exposure to air, salinity and different wavelengths did not affect the diurnal periodicity in Padina tetrastromatica. But periodicity in tetraspores shedding was changed in different light intensities and different light and dark cycles.