Rope for cultivating red algae, an article made by processing the rope into a net, and a method for cultivating red algae using the rope for cultivating red algae.

Abstract

The present invention provides ropes for cultivating red algae, ropes on which red algae have been grown, and articles made by processing these ropes into a net-like structure, which can be manufactured stably regardless of weather conditions, require less space for production, and are more labor-saving. [Solution] A rope for cultivating red algae, having notches. The notches can be in the direction of the rope's diameter and have a depth of 1 / 8 to 2 / 3 of the rope's diameter, and / or the notches can be provided at intervals of 0.5 to 10 cm in the direction of the rope's length.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rope for red algae cultivation, an article obtained by processing the rope into a net shape, a rope for red algae cultivation on which red algae are attached, a method for cultivating red algae using the rope for red algae cultivation, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Red algae cultivation is generally carried out by attaching or fixing red algae to a cultivation rope by the following two methods: (1) A method of attaching and growing spores (carpospores or tetraspores), which are microscopic reproductive cells having the property of attaching to a substrate by themselves, to a substrate for cultivation (hereinafter referred to as a cultivation substrate) such as a seed thread, a rope, and a net used for cultivation; or (2) A method of sandwiching a thallus (a fragment including the tip, which is the part where the thallus extends) grown to a macroscopic size between strands constituting a cultivation rope or tying it to the rope with a thin string to fix and grow the thallus.

[0003] The former method (the method of attaching and growing spores) is used, for example, for Porphyra (nori), etc. As the spores grow, they become thalli and develop a structure called a rhizoid at the lower part of the thallus, and by adhering to the cultivation substrate thereby, the thalli can grow and become large without detaching from the cultivation substrate and can be cultivated. The latter method (the method of fixing and growing the thallus) is used, for example, for Gracilaria and Eucheuma, etc. It is necessary for the thallus (fragment including the tip of the thallus) used for cultivation to have a sufficient size and physical strength for fixation.

[0004] However, with the former method, if the gametophyte or sporophyte is collected at the time it matures (forms spores), or if the mother alga is maintained in tank culture, it is necessary to induce maturation of the mother alga and attach the spores released from the collected or induced mother alga to a substrate such as seed filaments, ropes, and nets at an appropriate density. However, since red algal spores are immobile and cannot be identified with the naked eye, attaching the spores at an appropriate density presents technical difficulties. On the other hand, the latter method is only applicable to seaweeds that have the physical strength to withstand being pinched into rope strands or tied with thin strings, requires a large space to produce seedlings using larger thallus bodies, and requires significant labor (cost) for the fixing work, as the thallus bodies (fragments of thallus bodies) are fixed to the ropes manually or by machine.

[0005] Let's explain in more detail an example of marine cultivation of red algae. In the former method, which uses germ cells that are non-motile and self-adhering spores (carpospores or tetraspores), aquaculture substrates such as threads, ropes, or nets are placed in the sea, and spores released from mature natural algal bodies are allowed to attach to the substrate. Alternatively, a tank filled with seawater, either indoors or outdoors, is placed with the aquaculture substrate and mature algal bodies (mother algae) collected from the ocean, or algal bodies (mother algae) maintained indoors and allowed to mature, and spores released from these are allowed to attach to the substrate. Spores that attach to the culture substrate germinate in that location, developing into a multicellular thallus. This thallus then produces structures called rhizoids at its base, allowing it to attach to the substrate. Subsequently, the thallus develops into an upright thallus. When the algal bodies have grown to a certain size, if the cultivation substrate is a rope or net with sufficient strength on its own, it is left in the sea and cultivation continues. On the other hand, if the aquaculture substrate is a thin thread or other substrate that does not have sufficient strength, it is secured by wrapping it around a rope or other material with sufficient strength, and then installed in the ocean for aquaculture.

[0006] In the latter method, which involves fixing and growing thalli of macroscopic size (fragments including the tips of the thalli), the fragments including the tips of the thalli are tied with thread or other means to a culture substrate (such as rope) that has sufficient strength for marine cultivation, or are sandwiched between the culture substrate. The substrate is then placed in the sea and cultivation is carried out. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JPH5-41929A [Patent Document 2] JPH7-155078A [Patent Document 3] JP4418855B [Patent Document 4] JP7449455B [Patent Document 5] JP7492074B [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] As mentioned above, in the former method of attaching and growing spores, it is necessary to attach spores derived from natural algal bodies to a cultivation substrate in the sea. Alternatively, it is necessary to collect mature algal bodies from nature and use them as mother algae to obtain spores, or to induce the maturation (spore formation) of gametophytes or sporophytes that are maintained and cultivated in facilities such as tanks to obtain spores. Relying on natural attachment of spores to the cultivation substrate presents problems such as dependence on weather, resulting in unstable thalli production and difficulty in human control. Alternatively, it requires the effort of managing and monitoring the maturation of the mother algae, necessitating careful timing and being cumbersome. Furthermore, since red algal spores are immobile and invisible to the naked eye, microscopic observation and confirmation are necessary to confirm their release and attachment to the substrate, which is time-consuming and technically challenging.

[0009] In the latter method, which uses fragments of thallus, the fragments of thallus typically do not have the ability to attach themselves to a culture substrate such as rope like spores (to fix to the substrate by rhizoids). Therefore, even if the fragments of thallus are mixed with rope and cultured, the thallus will not become fixed to the rope, even if it temporarily attaches to it. As the thallus grows and becomes larger, it will easily detach from the rope due to physical resistance such as waves. Therefore, it is necessary to tie the thallus (fragments including the tip of the thallus) used for cultivation with thread or other means, or to sandwich it into the cultivation substrate. In this process, the thallus must be of sufficient size and physical strength for fixation, which limits the types of seaweed that can be used, and there are challenges in that such work requires a large space and a great deal of effort.

[0010] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for cultivating Tosa spores, which efficiently attaches the spores of Tosa spores, a species of red alga belonging to the order Coriolares, to a spore-culturing material. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for efficiently promoting the large-scale cultivation of the red algae family Dendrobium. Patent Document 3 discloses a method for producing seedlings and cultivating seaweed of the order Pterocaryales, which belong to the red algae family. Patent documents 1 to 3 all fall under the former method. However, they do not necessarily adequately solve the problems of the former method described above.

[0011] Patent documents 4 and 5 disclose a method for producing red algae that achieves good proliferation by growing them into a specific form called a spherical algal body. Both patent documents 4 and 5 may relate to the latter method. However, patent documents 4 and 5 do not disclose a solution to the problems of the latter method described above.

[0012] This specification aims to provide ropes for cultivating red algae that can be manufactured stably regardless of weather conditions, in a smaller space, and with less labor, articles made by processing the ropes into a net-like structure, ropes for cultivating red algae with red algae attached and fixed to them, and articles made by processing ropes with red algae attached and fixed to them into a net-like structure. Furthermore, it aims to provide a method for cultivating red algae in which the cultivated and grown algae do not easily detach from the ropes, and in which marine cultivation of algae can be made easier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The inventors discovered that when a rope with notches is used, algal bodies (fragments of algal bodies) attach to the fibers of the notched portion of the rope. Furthermore, they found that when ropes with algal bodies attached using this method are cultivated in the ocean, the algal bodies grow larger, thus completing the present invention. It is believed that rhizoids can be regenerated from the attached algal bodies, and by efficiently and uniformly attaching algal bodies with good visual visibility to the rope, it is possible to cultivate them in the ocean, thus completing the present invention.

[0014] This specification includes the following embodiments. 1. A rope for cultivating red algae, having notches, or an article made by processing such rope into a net-like structure. 2. The notches are in the direction of the rope's diameter and have a depth of 1 / 8 to 2 / 3 of the rope's diameter, and are the rope for cultivating red algae as described in 1 above, or an article made by processing the rope into a net-like structure. 3. The rope for cultivating red algae as described in 1 or 2 above, or an article made by processing the rope into a net-like structure, wherein the notches are provided at intervals of 0.5 to 10 cm in the direction of the length of the rope. 4. The rope is made of natural or synthetic fibers and is a rope for cultivating red algae as described in any one of items 1 to 3 above, or an article made by processing such rope into a net. 5. A rope for cultivating red algae as described in any one of items 1 to 4 above, in which red algae are attached to the notches, or an article made by processing such rope into a net-like structure. 6. The red algae are ropes for cultivating red algae according to any one of the above 1 to 5, including the genus Kappaphycus, or articles obtained by processing such ropes into a net shape. 7. A method for cultivating red algae, which uses the rope according to any one of the above 1 to 6 or an article obtained by processing such rope into a net shape.

Effects of the Invention

[0015] The ropes for cultivating red algae and the articles obtained by processing such ropes into a net shape according to the embodiments of the present invention have cuts, so that algal bodies (including algal bodies in the sporophyte generation and algal bodies in the gametophyte generation) with better visual recognition by visual inspection can be efficiently and uniformly attached to the ropes. Therefore, ropes for cultivating red algae with algal bodies attached thereto and articles obtained by processing ropes into a net shape with algal bodies attached thereto can be stably manufactured regardless of the weather, can be manufactured in a smaller space, and can be more labor-saving. Furthermore, the grown algal bodies do not easily fall off from the ropes, and the cultivation of algal bodies in the ocean can be more easily carried out.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 (upper) shows a 6 mm 3 -ply Cremona rope before making cuts (Comparative Example 1). FIG. 1 (lower) shows a 6 mm 3 -ply Cremona rope (Example 1) with cuts of 1 / 2 depth made in each of two strands. The red dots indicate one strand without cuts, considering maintaining the strength of the entire rope. [Figure 2] The upper right and lower right of FIG. 2 show ropes for cultivating red algae with cuts according to Example 2 to which fragments of Kappaphycus algal bodies are attached. The upper left and lower left of FIG. 2 show ropes for cultivating red algae according to Comparative Example 1 to which fragments of Kappaphycus algal bodies are attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a photograph of Kappaphycus cultivated and grown in the ocean using a rope for cultivating red algae to which fragments of Kappaphycus algal bodies according to the embodiment of the present invention are attached.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a rope for cultivating red algae having notches, or an article obtained by processing the rope into a net-like structure. The "notches" can be appropriately selected, taking into consideration the strength (durability) of the rope for cultivating red algae or the article made by processing the rope into a net-like structure, the efficiency of cultivating red algae, and the size of the thallus of the red algae being cultivated, as long as the rope for cultivating red algae as intended by this invention can be obtained. The depth of the notches in the length direction and perpendicular direction of the rope, and the spacing of the notches in the length direction of the rope can be appropriately selected.

[0018] The notch is perpendicular to the length of the rope and has a depth of, for example, 1 / 8 to 2 / 3 of the rope's diameter, preferably 1 / 4 to 2 / 3, and more preferably 1 / 4 to 1 / 2. When the notches are perpendicular to the length of the rope and have a depth of 1 / 8 to 2 / 3 of the rope's diameter, the strength (durability) of the rope used for red algae cultivation and the efficiency of red algae cultivation are superior.

[0019] The notches are provided in the direction of the length of the rope, for example, at intervals of 0.5 to 10 cm, preferably at intervals of 1 to 5 cm, and more preferably at intervals of 1.5 to 2 cm. When the notches are made at intervals of 0.5 to 10 cm along the length of the rope, it provides a better balance between the strength (durability) of the rope used for seaweed cultivation and the efficiency of red algae cultivation.

[0020] Generally, ropes are manufactured by twisting together several strands (bundles of fibers). For example, a rope made by twisting together three strands is called a 3-strand rope, and a rope made by twisting together four strands is called a 4-strand rope. It is preferable to make notches in the rope in strands other than one or two of the strands. For example, in the case of a 3-strand rope, it is preferable to make notches in two strands and leave one strand unnotched. For example, in the case of a 4-strand rope, it is preferable to make notches in two or three strands and leave two or one strand unnotched. In such cases, a better balance can be maintained between the strength of the rope and the productivity of red algae.

[0021] A rope for cultivating red algae, having notches, may have a reinforcing portion. The reinforcing portion is not particularly limited as long as it can improve and / or maintain the strength of the rope, since the strength of the rope may decrease due to the presence of notches, and a rope for cultivating red algae, which is the target of the present invention, can be obtained. Examples of reinforced parts include parts tied with string or thread, tape, etc., parts where the rope is hardened with adhesive, and parts welded by heat. The reinforced parts are not particularly limited as long as they can be used to obtain the rope for cultivating red algae that is the objective of this invention. Furthermore, reinforcement sections can be added to the rope at appropriate intervals as needed.

[0022] The material of the rope is not particularly limited as long as it provides a rope for cultivating red algae with the notches intended by the present invention, but ropes that have been conventionally used for cultivating seaweed, including red algae, can be used. For example, vinylon rope, polyester rope, or cotton rope can be used as the rope. Commercially available ropes can be used as such, and examples include Cremona rope (manufactured by Matsuura Kogyo Co., Ltd.) and cotton rope (manufactured by Matsuura Kogyo Co., Ltd.).

[0023] Using the aforementioned notched rope for cultivating red algae, an article can be obtained by processing the notched rope into a net-like structure. In this article, the entire net-like structure may be formed from the aforementioned notched rope for cultivating red algae, or only a part of the net-like structure, for example, only in the vertical direction or only in the horizontal direction, may be formed from the aforementioned notched rope for cultivating red algae. The mesh size and other factors can be selected as appropriate.

[0024] The present invention can provide a rope for cultivating red algae, or an article made by processing the rope into a net-like structure, on which red algae are attached in the notches. The red algae are preferably in the form of upright thallus bodies, but may also be in the form of leaves.

[0025] Red algae are not particularly limited as long as they are species with thalli of macroscopic size, but for example, they can include seaweed from the orders Ixioles, Ixioles, Graciliales, Hyacrocephales, Cryptophyllales, Gelatophyllales, Gelatophyllales, and Eucariaceae, and it is preferable that they include Hyacrocephala and Hyacrocephala.

[0026] The method for cultivating red algae according to an embodiment of the present invention includes using the red algae cultivation rope described in the above embodiment or an article obtained by processing the rope into a net shape. Red algae can be cultivated by installing a rope for cultivating red algae, to which red algae (preferably including upright algal bodies and thallus, more preferably including upright algal bodies) are attached to the notches, or by installing such a rope processed into a net-like structure in the sea, or by installing it in a tank filled with seawater. The cultivation of red algae can be carried out by referring to conventional methods used for cultivating red algae as appropriate. [Examples]

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but these examples represent only one aspect of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in any way by these examples.

[0028] Example 1 Manufacturing of ropes with notches for cultivating red algae In the case of a 6mm diameter rope (Cremona S rope, 3-strand (manufactured by Matsuura Kogyo Co., Ltd.)), the rope is 3-strand, and one rope is formed by twisting together three strands (bundles of fibers) (see Figure 1, top). Of the three strands that make up this rope, two were cut at intervals of approximately 1.5 to 2 cm, perpendicular to the length of the rope, with a depth of approximately 1 / 2 the diameter of the strand, using a razor blade. The remaining strand was left uncut to maintain the strength of the rope, and a rope with cuts for cultivating red algae was manufactured (see Figure 1, bottom).

[0029] Preparation of the gametophyte generation of *Hypnum cupressiforme* to be attached to the cuts in ropes used for cultivating red algae. The gametophyte stage fragments for cultivating *Hypnum cupressiforme* were prepared as follows. To maintain the seedlings, the gametophyte generation of *Hypholoma fasciculare* was grown for approximately 30 days under vegetative growth conditions (e.g., 20°C, long-day conditions) in a cultivation container (plastic petri dish) filled with Provasoli-enhanced salt seawater medium. Alternatively, to maintain seedlings, the sporophyte stage of *Lysimachia japonica* was cultivated for approximately 30 days under vegetative growth conditions (e.g., 20°C, long-day conditions) in a cultivation container filled with Provasoli-enhanced salt seawater medium. When starting from the sporophyte, the thallus was moved to maturation conditions (e.g., 25°C, short-day conditions), and within about 15 days, tetraspores were released from the tetrasporangia that had formed. These tetraspores then attached to the inner wall of the cultivation container, allowing the developed gametophyte generation of the thallus to grow.

[0030] Example 2 Manufacturing of ropes for cultivating red algae, with notches into which fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Hypnum cupressiforme* are attached. A notched rope for cultivating red algae (6 mm in diameter, 3-strand) from Example 1 was wound around a rectangular frame made of wire or plastic. The rope wound around the rectangular frame was placed in a sealable container filled with seawater or a propazoli-enhanced salt seawater culture medium. To this container, fragments of gametophyte thalli were obtained by shredding the aforementioned gametophyte generation thalli into pieces approximately 1-2 mm in length with a razor blade, ensuring that the tips of the thalli were included, and these fragments were added. By shaking or stirring the contents of the container, the fragments of gametophyte generation thalli became entangled with the fibers of the strands in the notched portions of the notched rope for cultivating red algae. It was also observed that the fragments of gametophyte generation thalli were less likely to adhere to areas other than the notched portions. A rope for cultivating red algae, with notches to which fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Lysimachia japonica* were attached, was grown for approximately 15 days under vegetative growth conditions (15°C to 20°C, long-day conditions). The fragments of the gametophyte stage grew within the notches of the rope, producing new branches or roots, and these structures stably attached the rope, resulting in the red algae cultivation rope with notches to which fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Lysimachia japonica* were attached (see upper right and lower right of Figure 2).

[0031] Comparative Example 1 Manufacturing of ropes for cultivating red algae, in which fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Hypnum cupressiforme* are attached to ropes without notches. Except for the 6 mm diameter 3-strand rope (Kremona S rope, 3-strand, manufactured by Matsuura Kogyo Co., Ltd.) used in the notched rope for cultivating red algae in Example 1, the notch was not made (see top of Figure 1), and the method described in Example 2 was used to obtain a rope for cultivating red algae to which fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Lysimachia japonica* from Comparative Example 1 were attached (see top left and bottom left of Figure 2).

[0032] It can be seen that the rope used for cultivating red algae in Example 2 (see upper right and lower right of Figure 2) has more fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Lysimachia japonica* attached to the rope and grown into larger algal bodies compared to the rope used for cultivating red algae in Comparative Example 1 (see upper left and lower left of Figure 2). It can also be seen that more fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Lysimachia japonica* are attached to the cut portions of the rope used for cultivating red algae in Example 2.

[0033] Example 3 Cultivation of *Hypholoma fasciculare* using ropes for cultivating red algae with notches to which fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Hypholoma fasciculare* are attached. A rope used for cultivating red algae, which had notches as described in Example 2 and to which fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Hypholoma fasciculare* were attached, was wrapped around a 100 mm diameter PVC pipe in the sea and left undisturbed. The seawater temperature was approximately 17-20°C, and cultivation was carried out for approximately 100 days. Figure 3 shows a photograph of the cultivated *Ulva perforata*. It is clear that the fragments of the gametophyte stage of *Ulva perforata*, approximately 2-5 mm in size, shown in the upper right and lower right of Figure 2, have grown significantly into distinct gametophyte stages. Their lengths were approximately 200-300 mm. [Industrial applicability]

[0034] The present invention provides a rope for cultivating red algae, a rope for cultivating red algae with red algae attached, an article made by processing the rope into a net shape, and a method for cultivating red algae using the red algae cultivation rope. The rope for cultivating red algae according to the embodiment of the present invention has notches, allowing fragments of gametophyte-stage algae to be uniformly grown on the rope. Since the fragments of gametophyte-stage algae are easily visible, they can be easily identified by visual inspection. Therefore, ropes for cultivating red algae with fragments of algae grown on them can be manufactured stably regardless of weather conditions, can be manufactured in a smaller space, and require less labor. Furthermore, grown algae do not easily detach from the rope, making it easier to cultivate algae in the ocean.

Claims

1. A rope for cultivating red algae, having notches, or an article made by processing such rope into a net-like structure.

2. The rope for cultivating red algae according to claim 1, or an article made by processing the rope into a net-like structure, wherein the notches are in the direction of the diameter of the rope and have a depth of 1 / 8 to 2 / 3 of the diameter of the rope.

3. The rope for cultivating red algae according to claim 1, or an article made by processing the rope into a net, wherein the notches are provided at intervals of 0.5 to 10 cm in the direction of the length of the rope.

4. The rope is made of natural or synthetic fibers, and is a rope for cultivating red algae as described in claim 1, or an article obtained by processing the rope into a net-like structure.

5. A rope for cultivating red algae according to claim 1, or an article made by processing the rope into a net shape, wherein red algae are attached to the notches.

6. The red algae include the order Hyalineales, and the rope for cultivating red algae according to claim 1, or an article made by processing the rope into a net shape.

7. A method for cultivating red algae, using a rope or an article made by processing the rope into a net-like structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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