Understanding early development in brown algae is evolutionarily important due to their diverse life cycles and reproductive strategies. Undaria pinnatifida remains understudied in its early stages. Gaining control over its life cycle in lab conditions could enhance experimental applications, including gene function studies. Exploring its aposporic potential may clarify whether increased ploidy leads to diploid or polyploid gametophytes amenable to PEG-mediated CRISPR-Cas transfection, sterility, or offers agronomic benefits. Dictyota dichotoma, an emerging model with a well-defined life cycle, shows promise for genetic manipulation. This study compares these two oogamous species to examine their gamete release and fertilisation timing, and to assess the feasibility of CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas12 editing. Laboratory conditions successfully replicated their life cycle and fertilisation dynamics, enabling gene editing trials. Initial CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas12 attempts in U. pinnatifida targeting the Adenine Phosphoribosyl Transferase (APT) marker showed success, and further genotypic validation confirmed knock-out of the APT gene. Investigating apospory in U. pinnatifida revealed diploid aposporic gametophytes that, when crossed with haploid maternal gametophytes, yielded a triploid sporophyte capable of reaching maturity. These findings offer new insights into brown algal development, with implications for both basic biology and applied aquaculture.
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