Sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) population genetics and selective breeding

Sugar kelp is an ecologically and economically important kelp species. The seaweed industry is growing and can provide sustainable biomass for a multitude of uses. In all agricultural and aquacultural bioproduction, domestication and genetic improvement of the cultivated species has a large impact on product yield and quality. We have therefore conducted a study to gain insight into population and quantitative genetics of sugar kelp. This will enable efficient genetic improvement as well as monitoring and protection of wild populations against genetic introgression from cultivated populations.