Morphogenetic Studies on Two Mosses, Bryum dichotomum and Entodon macropodus Grown In Vitro

Axenic cultures of two moss taxa viz. Bryum dichotomum Hedw., an acrocarpous moss and Entodon macropodus (Hedw.) Mull. Hal., a pleurocarpous moss were established by inoculating their spores into agar media. Germination, growth, development and comparative morphogenetic studies of these two growth forms were done. In B. dichotomum, protonemal buds developed on caulonema, while in E. macropodus, buds were produced on chloronema. Sub culturing of B. dichotomum gave rise to new individuals through chloronemal and caulonemal stage, while E. macropodus it directly regenerated into new gametophytes. In old culture under low moisture conditions, asexual diaspores namely, protonemal bulbils B. dichotomum and protonemal brood cells E. macropodus were formed.