Growing Seaweed: Twine vs. Binder Methods

Seaweed farming is booming worldwide, all thanks to the rising need for its many uses. One big challenge is finding ways to grow it cheaply. Two methods stand out: twine and binder. Twine has been around longer and is quite reliable. Binder is newer and could be easier to scale up, cutting down on costs. A recent study looked at how well these methods work for growing sugar kelp. Sugar kelp is a type of seaweed with a scientific name. The study also checked how water depth affects growth in a vertical farming setup. Twine came out on top in terms of yield. The kelp grew almost four times more in biomass using twine than with binder. The kelp also grew denser and longer with twine. As for depth, the kelp grew better in shallower water. This was especially true for the twine method.The study also noted that another type of seaweed, Sacchoriza polyschides, settled naturally. It grew more on the binder method and in deeper water. This raises questions about how predictable this settlement is and whether this seaweed could be farmed commercially. Twine seeding methods did better in a small, open-coast farm. Vertical farming can boost yield in a small space. However, the drop in yield with depth should be considered based on the local environment. The study shows that twine is the better choice for now. But binder methods could have potential with more research. The natural settlement of other seaweeds adds another layer of complexity. Farmers need to think about these factors when planning their operations.