MINERAL NUTRIENTS IN SOME MOSS SPECIES FROM MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

The composition of mineral nutrients was studied in mosses from Maharashtra namely Barbula unguiculata Hedw., Hypnum reflexum F. E. Tripp., Steeriophyllum anceps (Bosch et. Lac.) Broth., Fissidens crenulatus Mitt., Trachypodiopsis blanda (Mitt.) Fleisch., Funaria hygrometrica Hedw., Macromitrium sulcatum Brid., Brachymenium turgidum Broth., Bryum coronatum Schwaegr. and Hyophila involuta (Hook.) Jaeg. growing in various habitats like Lonawala and Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Sinhagad, Kaas Plateau and Aundh (Satara) . The study revealed that these eleven nutrients (Ca, Mg, N, K, S, P, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) showed differential accumulation from species to species. The level of Ca is usually more than the other macroelements viz. N, P, K, S, and Mg in mosses. It ranges from 10- 26.5 mg/g dry wt. N , P, K and Mg also important macronutrients ranges from 0.41-23.7, 0.8-3.3, 2.5-6.5, 3.3-8.6 mg/g dry wt. The level of S lowest among all those of macronutrients ranges from 1.8…