The influence of light on the growth and pigment composition of Hypnea valentiae (Turn.) Mont

Abstract

The female gametophyte of Hypnea valentiae (Tum.) Mont. collected in the backwaters of Muttukadu near Madras, Tamil Nadu, India was investigated under different light intensities ranging from 2 to 80 mu Em/2s/1 under laboratory conditions. Growth was maximum under 50 mu Em/2s/1 light intensity. Higher light intensities did not favour the growth and photosynthetic pigments such as Chl a and PE, however, the amount of PC and APC was more under these light intensities. Growth was poor under lower light intensities despite these light intensities promoted the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments