Influence of Phosphorus on Morphology and Physiology of Freshwater Chaetophora, Draparnaldia, and Stigeoclonium (Chaetophorales, Chlorophyta)

The study examined the effects of phosphorus (P) and other element deficiencies on 13 strains of Chaetophorales algae, focusing on their morphology and physiology. It was found that P and nitrogen (N) limitations were the only conditions that led to typical hair formation, with P limitation resulting in more significant hair development. Hair formation began when P levels dropped to about 1% dry weight, and there was a strong correlation between phosphatase activity and hair formation. The study also noted that all strains could grow with various phosphorus sources, except lecithin and phytate, and that zoospore formation occurred when P or N was reintroduced to limited cultures. The findings highlighted the potential use of Stigeoclonium as a bioassay organism and discussed the implications for the taxonomy of Chaetophorales.