Axenic cultivation of bryophytes: growth media composition

Abstract

Bryophytes were among the first plants to colonise the terrestrial environment. They do not possess root systems but are adapted to uptake nutrients through their entire body surface. However, the nutritional requirements of bryophytes remain poorly understood since they have no economic importance and are usually considered to be the same as those of tracheophytes. It is generally assumed that they can develop on poor substrates and easily fulfil their nutritional needs in resource-scarce environments. In this study, we analysed the media contents used for the axenic in vitro growth of bryophytes to infer their nutrient requirements and specificities. All media types previously applied in any reported axenic in vitro culture of bryophyte species were taken into consideration and an overview of bryophyte nutritional demands is provided, including any peculiarities and the advantages of certain media types.