The feasibility of inducing triploidy in red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) through temperature shock and chemical treatment was demonstrated in Phase I research. Triploid abalone should be reproductively sterile and channel metabolic energy into the growth of meat and shell at a rate greater than sexually mature diploids. In Phase II, the principal research effort will focus on methods to maximize triploid production. Objectives for Phase II research are: 1) to optimize triploid production methodology by manipulating treatment timing and dosage to maximize triploid induction while minimizing treatment mortalities; and 2) to observe diploid and triploid embryos to gain insight into the effects that triploid induction methods have upon early developmental events involving the activity of maternal centromeres and microtubule formation. The induction of triploidy in abalone could increase growth rates of farmed abalone thus increasing farm profitability. And the development of simplified methods for the induction of triploidy would enable all farmers easy access to this tool.//
