A preliminary genetic analysis of several industrially important traits in Porphyra yezoensis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta)

Inheritance of several phenotypes of Porphyra yezoensis was investigated by a cross experiment The following phenotypes, regarded as important characters in laver cultivation, were subjected in the present study: color, twist, corrugation, hardness, amount of monospores, maturing pattern, maturing rate, thallus collapse and thallus form. Among those, color, twist, hardness and maturing pattern were appeared to be stable and reliable genetic traits. Furthermore, linkage of two phenotypes, twist and maturing pattern, was suggested. This is the first report of a genetic analysis focusing on the important characters for industrial quality, except for color inheritance, and it may be helpfu1 for further investigation of improvement of breeds in Porphyra.