Studies on the Gametophyte Nutrition of the Cosmopolitan Species Funaria hygrometrica and Weissia controversa

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Abstract
Populations of the cosmopolitan moss species F. hygrometrica Hedw. and W. controversa Hedw. were examined to determine the existence of inter- or intra-specific differences in response to nutrient environment. Little intra-specific variation was observed. Both species had optimum growth at pH 8.0-8.5; Weissia was less tolerant than Funaria to extremes in pH. The nutrient concentrations in 1 N Bold''s basal medium generally produced maximum growth in Funaria while Weissia bad lower requirements for Fe, P and certain forms of N. The relative tolerance of these species for high pH and nutrient levels may account for the preference of Funaria for burned-over areas and for the more limited habitat distribution of Weissia.