Seaweed is a plant, but does not reproduce like most plants do on land, with flowers and pollen. Seaweed is more like a fern that reproduces by means of spores. Alexander Ebbing studies how these spores (gametophytes) can be controlled using various (a)biotic factors, further domesticating the species. Full domestication of this crop can only be achieved with a greater understanding of these (a)biotic lifecycle controls. 

Kelp life cycle

Seaweeds are macroalgae that do not reproduce like most plants do on land, with flowers, pollen and seeds. Their reproduction is mostly similar to ferns that reproduce by means of spores. Kelp, a group of brown seaweeds that are used in aquaculture, release spores that develop into female and male gametophytes. These gametophytes are an alternative life stage that can live and grow on their own. They can produce eggs and sperm that result in the growth of new seaweed plants after fertilization. Alexander Ebbing studied how the growth and reproduction of these gametophytes can be controlled by various (a)biotic factors. With a greater understanding of the factors influencing the lifecycle controls we can achieve a better domestication of this crop at sea.

The purpose is to further our understanding in the life cycle controls of these kelps. In-depth studies are hereby made possible through the usage of gametophyte cultures of the species Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta. Varying the external growing factors like light, nutrients, and temperature can give us a better understanding into the triggers responsible for the lifecycle transitions within kelps.