Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospect

Genetic homogeneity among principal cultivars of the kelp Saccharina japonica was first documented a decade ago in Rongcheng, a historically significant Saccharina farming city in China. Seven large-scale hatcheries in this region supply seedlings for approximately 50,795 ha of cultivation area, yie...

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Main Authors: Xiaodong Li, Lirong Chang, Feng Han, Xia Li, Luyang Xiao, Ershuai Huang, Yaning Yang, Li Su, Shaojun Pang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Aquaculture Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235251342500290X
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author Xiaodong Li
Lirong Chang
Feng Han
Xia Li
Luyang Xiao
Ershuai Huang
Yaning Yang
Li Su
Shaojun Pang
author_facet Xiaodong Li
Lirong Chang
Feng Han
Xia Li
Luyang Xiao
Ershuai Huang
Yaning Yang
Li Su
Shaojun Pang
author_sort Xiaodong Li
collection DOAJ
description Genetic homogeneity among principal cultivars of the kelp Saccharina japonica was first documented a decade ago in Rongcheng, a historically significant Saccharina farming city in China. Seven large-scale hatcheries in this region supply seedlings for approximately 50,795 ha of cultivation area, yielding ∼2.7 million metric tons of fresh biomass annually. These hatcheries have implemented independent breeding programs to enhance the productivity of cultivated populations. To assess decadal changes in farmed populations, we conducted a comprehensive investigation during the 2023–2024 cultivation cycle, combining microsatellite marker analysis of genetic composition/structure with open-sea cultivation trials to evaluate both genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Our analyses confirmed persistent genetic homogeneity in five of six examined cultivars, consistent with prior findings. Standardized parental sporophyte selection criteria, coupled with uniform hatchery protocols and infrastructure, were identified as primary drivers of homogeneity. Notably, genetic introgression was detected in 2024 populations following the introduction of a hybrid cultivar developed through targeted hybridization at one hatchery. The incorporation of phylogenetically distinct germplasm induced measurable genotypic and phenotypic modifications in farmed populations, concomitant with productivity improvements. These findings underscore the necessity for hatcheries to maintain self-sustaining broodstock management and seedling production systems to preserve cultivar genetic integrity in a multi-hatchery operation environment. Regular monitoring of population genetic architecture is strongly recommended to ensure sustainable aquaculture practices.
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spelling doaj-art-fd49c69891de4f1c93b69f636d24e5362025-08-20T03:45:12ZengElsevierAquaculture Reports2352-51342025-09-014310290410.1016/j.aqrep.2025.102904Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospectXiaodong Li0Lirong Chang1Feng Han2Xia Li3Luyang Xiao4Ershuai Huang5Yaning Yang6Li Su7Shaojun Pang8Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, ChinaWeihai Changqing Ocean Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Weihai, ChinaNational Fisheries Technology Extension Center, Beijing, ChinaXinghuacun Fenjiu Distillery Co., Ltd., Fenyang, ChinaWeihai Changqing Ocean Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Weihai, ChinaWeihai Changqing Ocean Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Weihai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China; Corresponding author at: Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.Genetic homogeneity among principal cultivars of the kelp Saccharina japonica was first documented a decade ago in Rongcheng, a historically significant Saccharina farming city in China. Seven large-scale hatcheries in this region supply seedlings for approximately 50,795 ha of cultivation area, yielding ∼2.7 million metric tons of fresh biomass annually. These hatcheries have implemented independent breeding programs to enhance the productivity of cultivated populations. To assess decadal changes in farmed populations, we conducted a comprehensive investigation during the 2023–2024 cultivation cycle, combining microsatellite marker analysis of genetic composition/structure with open-sea cultivation trials to evaluate both genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Our analyses confirmed persistent genetic homogeneity in five of six examined cultivars, consistent with prior findings. Standardized parental sporophyte selection criteria, coupled with uniform hatchery protocols and infrastructure, were identified as primary drivers of homogeneity. Notably, genetic introgression was detected in 2024 populations following the introduction of a hybrid cultivar developed through targeted hybridization at one hatchery. The incorporation of phylogenetically distinct germplasm induced measurable genotypic and phenotypic modifications in farmed populations, concomitant with productivity improvements. These findings underscore the necessity for hatcheries to maintain self-sustaining broodstock management and seedling production systems to preserve cultivar genetic integrity in a multi-hatchery operation environment. Regular monitoring of population genetic architecture is strongly recommended to ensure sustainable aquaculture practices.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235251342500290XSaccharina japonicaKelp farmingSeaweed aquacultureGene introgressionProductivity
spellingShingle Xiaodong Li
Lirong Chang
Feng Han
Xia Li
Luyang Xiao
Ershuai Huang
Yaning Yang
Li Su
Shaojun Pang
Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospect
Aquaculture Reports
Saccharina japonica
Kelp farming
Seaweed aquaculture
Gene introgression
Productivity
title Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospect
title_full Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospect
title_fullStr Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospect
title_full_unstemmed Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospect
title_short Challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp Saccharina japonica: Insights from China in ten year’s retrospect
title_sort challenges of genetic homogeneity in aquaculture of the kelp saccharina japonica insights from china in ten year s retrospect
topic Saccharina japonica
Kelp farming
Seaweed aquaculture
Gene introgression
Productivity
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235251342500290X
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