Investigation of early development stages and spore germination in some bryophyte species under in vitro conditions

In this study, in vitro spor germination and early developmental stages of Grimmia dissimulata E. Maier, Dicranella varia (Hedw.) Schimp., Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw.) F. Weber & D. Mohr, Syntrichia laevipila Brid. and Syntrichia princeps (De Not.) Mitt. have been investigated. Germination was held on distilled water (DW) containing 1.5% sucrose and ½ Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without sucrose. Germination percentages were 94% and 51% respectively. Dicranella varia gave germination in DW media with or without 1.5% sucrose and ½ MS medium. Germination rates were 50%, 48% and 56%. Germination in Syntrichia ruralis, Syntrichia laevipila and Syntrichia princeps was only observed in DW medium containing 1.5% sucrose. Germination rates were 34%, 54% and 43%. In all species examined, the germination was in exosporic type and two different sporeling pattern has been observed. In Grimmia dissimulata, Dicranella varia and Syntrichia laevipila sporeling type is Bryum type. In Syntrichia ruralis and Syntrichia princeps sporeling type is Encalypta type. Grimmia dissimulata, Syntrichia ruralis, Syntrichia laevipila and Syntrichia princeps post protonemal development could not be observed after three months. In Dicranella varia protonemata produced gametophore buds and then healty gametophytes.