Exploration of Two-Stage Cultivation Strategy Using Nitrogen Limited and Phosphorus Sufficient to Simultaneously Improve the Biomass and Lipid Productivity in Desmodesmus Intermedius Z8

•The precise timing and amount of nitrogen and phosphorus additions were established.•Two-stage cultivation strategy can simultaneously improve the biomass and lipid productivity.•FAME profiles indicate the fatty acids from different cultivation conditions are all beneficial to biodiesel production.