Preservation of diaspores of some moss species via encapsulation

Encapsulatıon is a method to obtain synthetic seeds/diaspores by coating plant propagules with alginate compound. In this study, spopres or vegetative parts of some bryophyte species has been coated by sodium alginate and then hardened in CaCl2 solution to observe germination capacity of the coated bryophyte propagules under different conditions. In experiments, Conocephalum conicum (thallus fragments), Marchantia polymorpha (gemmae), Sphagnum centrale, Sphagnum capillifolium, Bryum dichotomum (gametophyte fragments), Timmiella barbuloides, Ptreygoneurum ovatum, Encalypta vulgaris, Bryum capillare, Orthotrichum pumilum, Hypnum cupressiforme (spores) were the materials. Propagules of these species were tested for germination in environments such as humid soil, distilled water and oak sawdust. Desiccation and freezing applications were used for Bryum capillare and Hypnum cupressiforme, remaining species were kept at room temparature conditions by preserving humidity of environment. Two liverworts (Conocephalum conicum, Marchantia polymorpha) and three moss species (Bryum capillare, Hypnum cupressiforme and Timmiella barbuloides) showed a high germination response. In all steps of the research, using of sophisticated technics and equipments were avoided. It is seen that the method may serve as a useful tool to obtain viable propagules by using non sophisticated equipments and then minimum expense.