In Chile, Abalone and sea urchin cultures, organic
fertilizer production and novel seafoods have created
a new niche market for the giant kelp Macrocystis
pyrifera. Increased harvesting is already causing some
deterioration of different kelp populations (V´asquez &
Vega, 1999). Considerable information on Macrocystis
cultivation has been published in the past (North,
1979). However, some basic knowledge necessary to
run a successful commercial activity is still lacking,
especially with regard to the different environmental
conditions and complex morphological and reproduction
variability between populations, that can have important
commercial consequences.