Physiological Effects of Light Intensity on the Opportunistic Algae Ulva rigida C. Agardh (Chlorophyta)

Year 2017, Volume: 13 Issue: 3, 631 - 634, 30.09.2017

Gamze Yıldız , Şeyma Tiryaki

https://doi.org/10.18466/cbayarfbe.339316

Abstract

Intertidal seaweeds exposed to strong fluctuation in light quantity and
spectral light quality. Light plays an important role controlling seaweed
growth and physiology. Therefore, we conducted a culture experiment to
determine the physiological effects of light intensity on the opportunistic
algae Ulva rigida C. Agardh. For this
reason, samples were exposed to two different light
intensities (55 µmol photons m^-2s^-1 and 100 µmol photons
m^-2s^-1) and their some physiological features including
photosynthetic performance, growth rate, pigment content, total protein and
nitrate reductase activity were measured. According to our results, the maximum relative electron
transport rate  and saturation irradiance point were not
significantly different between the treatments. On the other hand, relative
growth rate, nitrate reductase activity and chlorophyll-a concentrations of U. rigida were significantly
decreased under low light
condition. Consequently, our data indicated that photosynthetic perfomance of Ulva rigida was not affected to treated
light intensity, while growth and nitrogen metabolism were primarily controlled
by light.

Keywords

Growth Rate, Light Intensity, Nitrate Reductase, Photosynthesis, Ulva rigida

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