Influence of nutrient deficiency on hair formation in Stigeoclonium

Abstract

Eleven strains of Stigeoclonium tenue Kütz. and one of Chaetophora incrassata (Hudson) Hazen were subjected to deficiencies of Mg, Ca, Fe, N, P and S. The responses between strains differed, but in general the greatest amount of hair formation was brought about by P deficiency, with N deficiency having almost as great an effect. In most, but not all, strains Fe deficiency also brought about marked hair formation. In Chaetophora incrassata both S and Ca deficiencies led to moderate hair formation, but in Stigeoclonium tenue, the effect was much less or not detectable at all. Mg deficiency had almost no effect on hair formation in any strain.