Lessonia trabeculata is one of the major kelps found along the northern coast of Chile . In addition to its ecological and economic importance, L . trabeculata may be severely affected by environmental disturbances such as El Niflo, which during 1982-1983 cleared wide areas along the coast of Peru and Chile . The main goal of this work was to mass culture L . trabeculata and to observe the growth of sporophytes obtained in the laboratory and cultured in the sea . Juvenile sporophytes obtained in the laboratory were attached between 1 and 6 m in depth . The linear growth rate, as blade elongation, was recorded weekly for seven months . No significant differences (p < 0 .05) were found in sporophyte blade linear growth at different depths . The best elongation growth rate was 7 .5 ± 1 .6 mm d -1 at 3 m during March . This preliminary work suggests that L . trabeculata follows an annual growth cycle similar to that of other Laminariales with a high rate of blade elongation during the summer and decreasing towards autumn . This species can be considered a potential candidate for aquaculture to increase the availability of raw material and aid in repopulation of overexploited areas .

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