Monostroma: the Jeweled Seaweed for Future: Cultivation Methods, Ecophysyology, Phylogeography and Molecular Systematics

Mariculture of seaweeds is projected as one of the most sustainable farming practices, including that for biofuel production and carbon sequestration. However, not many reports exist that present an overall understanding of the methods involved, agronomic information of the major farmed taxa and their utilization. In this report a primer on the marine agronomy is conceptualized and major seaweed farming methods have been summarized, with an emphasize on monostromatic green algal genus Monostroma-which is currently most cultivated and most highly priced green seaweed. Extent of worldwide seaweed farming has been summarized. Current understanding of the life cycle and cultivation methods for the top ten farmed seaweed genera are described with suitable illustrations. Recent advances in the algal natural products have been reviewed, including uses in Food, Hydrocolloid and Pharmaceutical industries, Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture and energy production. Also discussed in this report are algal ecophysiology, phylogeography, phylogenetics and molecular systematics with unabridged primary research methodology. This book is intended for everyone with an interest in Marine Phycology.