Caulerpa lentillifera is a green algae that distributes worldwide and is cultivated for food.
We assessed vegetative propagation of C . lentillifera by measuring the specific growth rate (SGR) and chlorophyll fluorescence of the green algae cultured at different salinities and nutrient levels. The results indicated that C . lentillifera can survive in salinities ranging from 20 to 50, and can develop at salinities of 30 to 40. The maximum SGR for C.lentillifera occurred at a salinity of 35. Both chlorophyll content and the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence
( F v / Fm ) were also at a maximum at a salinity of 35. Photosynthesis was inhibited in salinities greater than 45 and less than 25. Both the maximum SGR and maximum chlorophyll content were found in algae treated with a concentration of 0.5 mmol/L of NO3-N and 0.1 mmol/L of PO 4-P. The photosynthetic capacity of photosystem II (PSII) was inhibited in cultures of C . lentillifera at high nutrient levels. This occurred when NO 3-N concentrations were greater than 1.0 mmol/L and when PO 4-P concentrations were at 0.4 mmol/L. As there is strong need for large-scale cultivation of C . lentillifera , these data contribute important information to ensure optimal results.