LABORATORY CULTURE OF THE SEAGRASS, Halophila ovalis (R.BR.) HOOKER F.

Authors

  • Japar Sidik Bujang Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus.
  • Lim Lai Huat Biology Department. Faculty Science. Universiti Putra Malaysia.
  • Muta Harah Zakaria Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus.
  • Azis Arshad Biology Department. Faculty Science. Universiti Putra Malaysia.
  • Hisao Ogawa Faculty of Fisheries. Kitasato University.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14203/mri.v33i1.500

Keywords:

Seagrass, Halophla ovalis, Laboratory culture, Phenology

Abstract

A small-culture system for growing of Halophila ovalis was developed. Plugs of explants were successfuly grown in the native substrate and under the light regime of ~200 imol m-2 s-1. The culturing of H. ovalis in the laboratory permitted observations on (i) the sustain growth and the development of the population, (ii) the reproductive biology (flowering and fruiting) and (iii) the pattern of seedling development from seeds to mature plants. Plants increased in density via vegetative propagation and sexual reproduction. Plants produced male, female flowers and fruits. The presence of viable seeds and seedlings demonstrated the successful pollination and sexual reproduction of H. ovalis in culture. The morphology of progressive development of H. ovalis seedlings to juvenile or young plants for H. ovalis in culture is described.

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Published

2026-01-08

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 1 (2008)

Section

Articles