<![CDATA[This study aimed to analyze the differences in weight growth between brown and green variants of Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivated using the long-line method in the coastal waters of Pasir Panjang Beach, Kupang City. This experimental study was conducted in response to the need to restore seaweed cultivation productivity following the impact of Cyclone Seroja and to identify the most suitable variety for cultivation in local waters. The experimental organisms consisted of brown and green seaweed variants with a uniform initial weight of 150 g per planting point. Cultivation was carried out using the long-line method with a planting distance of 25 cm between seedlings and a maintenance period of 45 days. The main parameters observed included absolute weight gain, Specific Growth Rate (SGR), and supporting water quality parameters such as temperature, salinity, and pH. Descriptive results showed that the brown variant achieved an average final weight of 556.5 g, while the green variant reached an average final weight of 552.5 g. Inferential statistical analysis using an Independent Samples t-Test yielded a calculated t-value of 0.138 with 18 degrees of freedom (df) and a significance value (p-value) of 0.89177. Since the significance value was much higher than the 0.05 significance level (p > 0.05), the null hypothesis (Hâ‚€) was accepted. These findings indicate that there was no statistically significant difference in weight growth between the brown and green seaweed variants. In conclusion, both variants demonstrated similar adaptability and biomass growth potential under the environmental conditions of Pasir Panjang Beach. Therefore, seaweed farmers may use either variety as an equally viable cultivation option, depending on seedling availability in the field.]]>
