The Initiation of In Vitro Culture in Gongolaria barbata Species—A Key Species in the Coastal Marine Areas

Gongolaria barbata (Stackhouse) Kuntze (syn. Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agardh), a species of brown macroalgae (seaweed), plays a crucial role in the coastal marine ecosystems. Its ability to form complex three‐dimensional structures is fundamental for supporting rich biodiversity and diverse habitats, making a significant contribution to primary production and carbon sequestration, highlighting its vital importance in maintaining the health and balance of these coastal marine environments. It is a bioindicator species for water quality and environmental conditions. Recently, a concerning decline in the species population has been reported, attributed to pollution, eutrophication, climate change, human activities and the introduction of invasive species. In this context, the conservation and restoration of these environments are crucial for maintaining their ecological integrity. Our research required the development of an in vitro protocol for multiplication, based on both direct and indirect regeneration. Seven different protocols for explant sterilisation and 21 media variants were used for in vitro induction of the multiplication protocol. The satisfactory results of this study indicate that natural seawater supplemented with 0.5 mg L −1 BAP and 1 mg L −1 GA 3 induced direct regeneration by forming buds, and PES medium added with 0.5 mg L −1 BAP and 1 mg L −1 2,4‐D induced callus mass. Our study is unique in Romania and in the western part of the Black Sea. It represents a starting point for improving protocols for the multiplication of this species with the aim of its conservation purposes.