Comparison of bryophyte cultivation in three different types of substrate substrates (Oral presentation)

Bryophytes are recognized to be difficult for cultivation and maintenance in glasshouse condition.
This preliminary study aims to assess suitable growing substrates, cultivation method, and means for
evaluating growth. Three acrocarpous mosses (Hyophila involuta, Barbula consanguinea, and H.
apiculata) that commonly thrive on laterite soil (iron-rich soil) in the vicinity of Kanchanaburi
Campus of Mahidol University were chosen to compare the growth without extra nutrient supply
during two months. The three types of substrates were native soil where mosses were collected,
commercial sand, and commercial peat moss. The growth was measured every second week using
three indices i.e. growth area, the number of new plants, and wet weight.
Our results showed that the most suitable substrates for three mosses ranked by three indices were
sand, native soil, and peat moss, respectively. Mosses can be successfully grown on sand and laterite
soil if kept out of the direct light source and moist. Determining the number of new plants developed
from propagules is the most reliable natural marker for growth in our mosses. Visual assessments of
plant health showed that even spraying regularly with water did not prevent scorching and
desiccation. The adverse impact of scorching and desiccation on plant growth is worst in peat moss.
This study suggests that peat moss is not a suitable substrate for cultivating terricolous mosses
because of its low pH condition. It would be feasible to use sand as media for growing, propagating,
and maintaining mosses as experimental material in the future.